# volt

/ˈvoʊɫt/ (US) · /vˈəʊlt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/volt
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- The battery in my car provides twelve volts of power.
- Standard household outlets in many countries provide a current of 230 volts to power appliances.
- The technician carefully measured the potential difference across the circuit, noting that a drop of even a few volts could indicate a faulty capacitor.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.