impedance
Americannoun
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Electricity. the total opposition to alternating current by an electric circuit, equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the resistance and reactance of the circuit and usually expressed in ohms. Z
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Also called mechanical impedance. Physics. the ratio of the force on a system undergoing simple harmonic motion to the velocity of the particles in the system.
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something that impedes; an obstacle or hindrance.
noun
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Z. a measure of the opposition to the flow of an alternating current equal to the square root of the sum of the squares of the resistance and the reactance, expressed in ohms
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a component that offers impedance
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Also called: acoustic impedance, Za. the ratio of the sound pressure in a medium to the rate of alternating flow of the medium through a specified surface due to the sound wave
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Also called: mechanical impedance, Zm. the ratio of the mechanical force, acting in the direction of motion, to the velocity of the resulting vibration
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A measure of the opposition to the flow of alternating current through a circuit. Impedance is measured in ohms. The resistance of a circuit to direct current (also measured in ohms) is generally not the same as its impedance, due to the effects of capacitance and induction in and among the components of the circuit.
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See also impedance matching
Discover More
The term impedance is most often encountered in dealing with antennas and speakers in television, stereo, and radio systems.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of impedance
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To evaluate the Hina battery, Schütte and colleagues examined 120 sodium-ion cells using impedance spectroscopy, a non-destructive method that measures battery uniformity.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 21, 2026
To evaluate changes in body composition, the researchers used bioelectrical impedance analysis.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 9, 2026
To make that diagnosis, gastroenterologists can do a test called a pH impedance study.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 27, 2023
But before I get into it, you should always take any measurements taken with bioelectric impedance analysis with grounded skepticism.
From The Verge ● Sep. 7, 2022
Coils of the line and clearing-out drops by which these drops are thrown, are wound to such high resistance and impedance as to make it proper to leave them permanently bridged across the talking circuit.
From Cyclopedia of Telephony and Telegraphy, Vol. 2 A General Reference Work on Telephony, etc. etc. by Samuel McMeen
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