# voltage

/ˈvoʊɫtədʒ/ (US) · /vˈəʊltɪdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/voltage
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the force of an electric current that moves through a wire. You can think of it like the pressure that pushes water through a pipe.

For teachers: the difference in electric potential between two points, expressed in volts. It represents the electrical pressure that drives a current through a conductive loop.

## Examples

- The battery provides a low voltage for the small toy.
- Before plugging in your hair dryer abroad, check if the local voltage is compatible with your device.
- Electrical engineers must carefully regulate the voltage across the circuit to prevent sensitive components from overheating or failing under excessive pressure.

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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.
