volt

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈvōlt How to pronounce volt (audio)
: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it

volt

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈvōlt How to pronounce volt (audio) ˈvȯlt How to pronounce volt (audio)
1
: a leaping movement in fencing to avoid a thrust
2
a
: a tread or gait in which a horse going sideways makes a turn around a center
b
: a circle traced by a horse in this movement

Examples of volt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The transistors also displayed a drive current—which also influences transistor switching speed—of about 2 milliamps per micron, given a supply voltage of 5 volts. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024 For example, the thin dielectric layer that separates the conductive membrane and the substrate must withstand about 100 volts at a thickness of 1 μm. —IEEE Spectrum, 17 Mar. 2024 The charging time is 5 hours on a 240 volt charger and the total gas and electric driving range is 530 miles. —Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 The vacuum’s 20 volts of power snatch up dust, dirt, crumbs, and more from hard floors and carpets. —Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 The engine is bolted to an 8 speed automatic sport transmission, with a 48 volt mild hybrid system, routed into an xDrive all wheel drive performance traction control system, with driving dynamic control and three selectable driving modes. —Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2024 Chicago recently received a taste of what this could mean, when a very cold snap left some EV drivers hurrying to charging stations only to find lines so long that their cars were out of power before the rescuing volts could flow. —David Harsanyi, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 This made both the switching speed and the switching energy orders of magnitude lower—a mere 0.1 volts and 120 attojoules to switch. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Jan. 2024 Some sharks can detect weak currents as low as five billionths of a volt per square centimeter. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'volt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Alessandro Volta

Noun (2)

borrowed from French volte, borrowed from Italian volta "turn," noun derivative of voltare "to turn," going back to Vulgar Latin *volvitāre, frequentative of Latin volvere "to set in a circular course, cause to roll, bring round" — more at wallow entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1873, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of volt was in 1688

Phrases Containing volt

Dictionary Entries Near volt

Volsteadism

volt

Volta

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Cite this Entry

“Volt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/volt. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

volt

noun
ˈvōlt
: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference in potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power used between these two points is equal to one watt

Medical Definition

volt

noun
ˈvōlt How to pronounce volt (audio)
1
: the practical mks unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to the difference of potential between two points in a conducting wire carrying a constant current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these two points is equal to one watt and equivalent to the potential difference across a resistance of one ohm when one ampere is flowing through it
2
: a unit of electrical potential difference and electromotive force equal to 1.00034 volts and formerly taken as the standard in the United States

More from Merriam-Webster on volt

Nglish: Translation of volt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of volt for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about volt

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