ENGLISH
REFERENCE

volt

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈvoʊɫt// UK //vˈəʊlt// volt Archaic

n. a unit used to measure the force of electricity as it moves through a wire.

n. the SI unit of electromotive force, representing the potential difference that would carry one ampere of current against one ohm of resistance.


SIMPLE

The battery in my car provides twelve volts of power.

CONTEXTUAL

Standard household outlets in many countries provide a current of 230 volts to power appliances.

COMPLEX

The technician carefully measured the potential difference across the circuit, noting that a drop of even a few volts could indicate a faulty capacitor.

Etymology 1

Named after Italian physicist Alessandro Volta. For the surname, see Italian Volta.

Etymology 2

From French volte.

Usage

Often used in the plural when specifying a quantity; frequently preceded by a number.

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