Word
Definitions
01music leader
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Music
n. the person who stands in front of an orchestra or choir and directs how they play or sing.
n. the director of an orchestra, choir, or other musical ensemble who coordinates the performance through visible gestures.
“The conductor raised her baton, and the entire orchestra became silent.”
“The guest conductor was praised for his nuanced interpretation of the symphony, particularly his control over the woodwind section during the second movement.”
02transport official
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a person on a train, bus, or tram who checks tickets and helps passengers.
n. a transit employee responsible for collecting fares, verifying tickets, and ensuring passenger safety.
“The conductor walked through the train cars to check everyone's tickets.”
“The conductor informed the passengers that the delay was due to a signalling fault and offered assistance with connecting travel arrangements.”
Synonyms
03science/energy
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Science Technical
n. a material that allows heat or electricity to flow through it easily.
n. a substance or medium that conducts heat, light, sound, or especially an electric current.
“Copper is a very good conductor of electricity, which is why it is used in wires.”
“Silver is the most effective thermal conductor among metals, though its high cost usually precludes its use in industrial heat exchangers.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
04a guide or leader
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Literary
n. a person who leads or guides others.
n. one who leads, guides, or directs the course of others; a person in a position of leadership.
“He acted as the conductor of the project, making sure everyone stayed on task.”
“History remembers her as a primary conductor of the movement, orchestrating the various factions into a single, cohesive political force.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“In Musgrave's Clarinet Concerto, the clarinettist walks around the orchestra and controls the flow of the piece as much as the conductor.” “A V-shaped stage encloses conductor Oliver Cope and Sinfonia Smith Square at its centre.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French conductour, from Old French conduitor, from Latin conductor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/conductor
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0