# dielectric

/ˌdaɪəˈɫɛktɹɪk/ (US) · /daɪəlˈɛktɹɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dielectric
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a material that does not conduct electricity well. It is used to store electrical energy and is found in things like capacitors and insulation.

For teachers: a non-conducting substance that can be polarized by an applied electric field. It is used in capacitors to store electrical energy and in insulation to prevent current flow.

## Examples

- The capacitor uses a ceramic dielectric to hold the charge.
- Engineers selected a high-quality dielectric for the cable to ensure the signal remained strong over long distances.
- The performance of the microwave oven depends heavily on the dielectric properties of the food, which determine how efficiently the electromagnetic energy is converted into heat.

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