volt

[ vohlt ]

nounElectricity.

the standard unit of potential difference and electromotive force in the International System of Units (SI), formally defined to be the difference of electric potential between two points of a conductor carrying a constant current of one ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is equal to one watt. Abbreviation: V

Origin of volt

First recorded in 1870–75; named after A. Volta

Words Nearby volt

Other definitions for volt (2 of 2)

volt²

[ vohlt ]

noun

Manège.
- a circular or turning movement of a horse.
- a gait in which a horse going sideways turns around a center, with the head turned outward.
Fencing. a sudden movement or leap to avoid a thrust.

Origin of volt

1650–60; <French volte<Italian volta, noun derivative of voltare to turn <Vulgar Latin *volvitare, frequentative of Latin volvere to turn; see vault²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use volt in a sentence

A typical battery today might store a few volts of electricity.
Scientists Say: Voltage | Maria Temming | January 24, 2022 | Science News For Students
In the United States, every regular electrical outlet supplies 120 volts.
Explainer: Understanding electricity | Trisha Muro | December 10, 2021 | Science News For Students
Inch by inch, I turned the knob higher, until it was up to 120 volts.
I Nearly Set My House on Fire Trying to Make the Lightning Mushroom From ‘Ratatouille’ | Jaya Saxena | September 27, 2021 | Eater
The battery’s run time corresponds with the number of volts.
Stick it to dirt and dust with the best vacuum on the market | Florie Korani | July 28, 2021 | Popular-Science
Until a few years ago, most electric road cars used voltages of around 300-400 volts, while race cars used higher voltages of around 700-900 volts.
The Speed Demons Racing to Make Your Car Greener | Charu Kasturi | November 15, 2020 | Ozy

Its electric car the volt had its best month ever, selling 3,351 units.
U.S. Car Sales Roar in August | William O’Connor | September 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
On the other hand, sales of the volt declined in April 2013 from April 2012.
Nissan Leaf Leads Growth in April Electric Car Sales | Miranda Green | May 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The volt, a plug-in hybrid, was expected to be the easier sell, since it also uses gas and has a range of several hundred models.
Nissan Leaf Leads Growth in April Electric Car Sales | Miranda Green | May 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The volt, which can run for about 30 miles on electricity and has been slow to catch on, has been mocked by critics of GM.
Detroit’s Green Leap Forward Pulls In to New York Auto Show | Daniel Gross | March 29, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
“It sounds trivial but those numbers really add up a lot,” said Rory Paul of volt Aerial Robotics.
Unmanned Drones May Have Their Greatest Impact on Agriculture | Miranda Green | March 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The next day the electricians hooked it up to a twelve-hundred-volt feed-line, and by noon it was ready to go.
Nine Men in Time | Noel Miller Loomis
Archivolt, r′ki-volt, n. the band or moulding which runs round the lower part of the archstones of an arch.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various
Archivolt (rki-volt), in architecture, the ornamental band of mouldings on the face of an arch and following its contour.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 2 | Various
Measurement of resistance: (a) volt-ammeter method, (b) Wheatstone bridge method.
Physics | Willis Eugene Tower
The product of volts and amperes is the apparent power and is called volt-amperes in distinction from the true power or watts.
Physics | Willis Eugene Tower

British Dictionary definitions for volt (1 of 2)

volt¹

/ (vəʊlt) /

noun

the derived SI unit of electric potential; the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is 1 watt: Symbol: V

Origin of volt

C19: named after Count Alessandro Volta 2

British Dictionary definitions for volt (2 of 2)

volt²

volte

/ (vɒlt) /

noun

a small circle of determined size executed in dressage
a leap made in fencing to avoid an opponent's thrust

Origin of volt

C17: from French volte, from Italian volta a turn, ultimately from Latin volvere to turn

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 volt

volt

[ vōlt ]

The SI derived unit used to measure electric potential at a given point, usually a point in an electric circuit. A voltage difference of one volt drives one ampere of current through a conductor that has a resistance of one ohm. One joule of work is required to move an electric charge of one coulomb across a potential difference of one volt. One volt is equivalent to one joule per coulomb. See also Ohm's law.

Cultural definitions for volt

volt

[ (vohlt) ]

The unit of electromotive force, the volt measures how much “pressure” there is in an electric circuit. The higher the voltage, the more electrical current (see also current) will flow in the circuit.

Notes for volt

Ordinary household outlets are usually rated at 115 volts, car batteries at 12 volts, and flashlight batteries at 1.5 volts.

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