Word
alternator
Phoneticsal·ter·na·tor, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔɫtɝˌneɪtɝ/
UK/ˈɔltənˌeɪtɐ/
Engineering
Definition
n. a machine that changes electricity from a direct current to an alternating current. It is usually found in a car to keep the battery charged while the engine runs.
n. a device that converts direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). In automotive contexts, it refers to the component that generates electrical power for the vehicle's systems and recharges the battery.
Examples
“The car's battery died because the alternator was broken.”
“The mechanic checked the alternator to see if it was providing enough power to the car's electrical system.”
“Modern vehicles rely on a high-efficiency alternator to supply the necessary electrical energy for both the internal combustion engine and the various electronic components of the vehicle.”
Examples
simple
“The car's battery died because the alternator was broken.”
contextual
“The mechanic checked the alternator to see if it was providing enough power to the car's electrical system.”
complex
“Modern vehicles rely on a high-efficiency alternator to supply the necessary electrical energy for both the internal combustion engine and the various electronic components of the vehicle.”
Etymology
From alternate + -or.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/alternator