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Showing results for rectifier. Search instead for rectifier tube.

rectifier

American  
[rek-tuh-fahy-er] / ˈrɛk təˌfaɪ ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that rectifies.

  2. Electricity. an apparatus in which current flows more readily in one direction than the other, for changing an alternating current into a direct current.

  3. the apparatus that in distillation separates the most volatile material by condensing it; condenser.


rectifier British  
/ ˈrɛktɪˌfaɪə /

noun

  1. an electronic device, such as a semiconductor diode or valve, that converts an alternating current to a direct current by suppression or inversion of alternate half cycles

  2. chem an apparatus for condensing a hot vapour to a liquid in distillation; condenser

  3. a thing or person that rectifies

"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

rectifier Scientific  
/ rĕktə-fī′ər /
  1. An electrical device that converts alternating current to direct current. Rectifiers are most often made of a combination of diodes, which allow current to pass in one direction only.

  2. Compare converter transformer


Etymology

Origin of rectifier

First recorded in 1605–15; rectify + -er 1

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:

Autumn, who has been working on a machine that resembles a large lathe — a ringer, which generates telephone rings — passes De Jaen and the rectifier.

From Seattle Times Jan. 26, 2024

About an hour later, De Jaen and the rectifier have attracted a small crowd of volunteers, all eager to see whether the thing will ignite.

From Seattle Times Jan. 26, 2024

This is then converted into direct current by a rectifier, and is used to top up the vehicle’s battery.

From Economist Oct. 26, 2017

Ordinary 110-volt, 60-cycle current was stepped up by transformers to 75,000 volts, increased by rectifier tubes to 150,000.

From Time Magazine Archive

My brother said its possible if you have an antenna and a rectifier and something to seme as a speaker.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

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