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inductance

American  
[in-duhk-tuhns] / ɪnˈdʌk təns /

noun

Electricity.
  1. that property of a circuit by which a change in current induces, by electromagnetic induction, an electromotive force. L

  2. inductor.


inductance British  
/ ɪnˈdʌktəns /

noun

  1. Also called: induction, L. the property of an electric circuit as a result of which an electromotive force is created by a change of current in the same circuit (self-inductance) or in a neighbouring circuit (mutual inductance). It is usually measured in henries See also self-inductance mutual inductance

  2. another name for inductor

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

inductance Scientific  
/ ĭn-dŭk′təns /
  1. A measure of the reaction of electrical components (especially coils) to changes in current flow by creating a magnetic field and inducing a voltage. Its unit is the henry.


inductance Cultural  
  1. A process whereby the effect of induction is used to alter the current (see also current) in an electrical circuit.


Etymology

Origin of inductance

First recorded in 1885–90; induct + -ance


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.

See Examples For:

ULIS' ultralow inductance and durable design make it well suited for that challenge.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 19, 2026

Figure 23.40 The heating coils of an electric clothes dryer can be counter-wound so that their magnetic fields cancel one another, greatly reducing the mutual inductance with the case of the dryer.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

In an inductor, the magnetic field is directly proportional to current and to the inductance of the device.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Mutual inductance is the effect of two devices in inducing emfs in each other.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

Each of these bobbins has a certain electrical capacity with respect to the earth, when considered as an insulated conductor, and it has also a certain inductance.

From Hertzian Wave Wireless Telegraphy by John Ambrose Fleming

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