superconductivity

[ soo-per-kon-duhk-tiv-i-tee ]

/ ˌsu pərˌkɒn dəkˈtɪv ɪ ti /

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noun Physics.

the phenomenon of almost perfect conductivity shown by certain substances at temperatures approaching absolute zero. The recent discovery of materials that are superconductive at temperatures hundreds of degrees above absolute zero raises the possibility of revolutionary developments in the production and transmission of electrical energy.

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Origin of superconductivity

First recorded in 1915–20; super- + conductivity

OTHER WORDS FROM superconductivity

su·per·con·duc·tion

[soo-per-kuhn-duhk-shuhn], /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk ʃən/, nounsu·per·con·duc·tive

[soo-per-kuhn-duhk-tiv], /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk tɪv/, su·per·con·duct·ing, adjectivesu·per·con·duc·tor

[soo-per-kuhn-duhk-ter], /ˌsu pər kənˈdʌk tər/, noun

Words nearby superconductivity

supercollider, supercolumnar, supercolumniation, super-committee, supercomputer, superconductivity, superconductor, supercontinent, supercool, supercow, supercrat

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use superconductivity in a sentence

For the discovery to ever have practical applications though, the researchers will have to find a way to reduce the pressure required to achieve superconductivity.
Scientists Just Achieved Room Temperature Superconductivity for the First Time|Edd Gent|October 19, 2020|Singularity Hub
Over the next few decades superconductivity was found in other super-cooled materials, and in 1933 researchers discovered that superconductors also expel magnetic fields.
Scientists Just Achieved Room Temperature Superconductivity for the First Time|Edd Gent|October 19, 2020|Singularity Hub
Scientists have for decades sought to understand just what those circumstances are, and to figure out what other elements might be mixed in with hydrogen to achieve superconductivity at progressively higher temperatures and lower pressures.
Room-temperature superconductivity has been achieved for the first time|Niall Firth|October 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review
For many decades afterwards, superconductivity was created only at extremely low temperatures.
Room-temperature superconductivity has been achieved for the first time|Niall Firth|October 14, 2020|MIT Technology Review

She suspects that high pressures instead transformed Dias’ substance into an unknown form whose superconductivity is especially robust.
Room-Temperature Superconductivity Achieved for the First Time|Charlie Wood|October 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine

British Dictionary definitions for superconductivity

superconductivity

/ (ˌsuːpəˌkɒndʌkˈtɪvɪtɪ) /

noun

physics the property of certain substances that have no electrical resistance. In metals it occurs at very low temperatures, but higher temperature superconductivity occurs in some ceramic materials

Derived forms of superconductivity

superconduction (ˌsuːpəkənˈdʌkʃən), nounsuperconductive or superconducting, adjectivesuperconductor, noun

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

Scientific definitions for superconductivity

superconductivity

[ sōō′pər-kŏn′dŭk-tĭv′ĭ-tē ]

The ability of certain metals or alloys to conduct an electric current with almost no resistance. Superconductivity usually occurs close to absolute zero, at temperatures approaching -459.67°F (-273.15°C), but has also been observed at temperatures as high as -200°F (-128.88°C).

Other words from superconductivity

superconductor noun

Cultural definitions for superconductivity (1 of 2)

superconductivity

[ (sooh-puhr-kon-duk-tiv-uh-tee) ]

A property of materials by which their electrical resistance goes to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no losses whatsoever.

notes for superconductivity

Formerly, materials showed superconductivity only near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that are superconducting at much higher temperatures.

Cultural definitions for superconductivity (2 of 2)

superconductivity

[ (sooh-puhr-kon-duk-tiv-uh-tee) ]

A property of some materials in which their electrical resistance drops to zero, and they acquire the ability to carry electric current (see also current) with no loss of energy whatsoever. Formerly, materials developed superconductivity only at temperatures near absolute zero, but new materials have been found that remain superconductive at temperatures above those of liquid nitrogen. The goal of current research is to find a material that remains superconductive at room temperature.