electric current
3 synonyms for electric current, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The flow of electric charge through a conductor such as a wire, measured in amperes.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
amperage
flow of charge
How to use electric current
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
carry an electric current
electric current flows
measure the electric current
Standard in science and engineering; in everyday speech people usually just say "current" or "electricity".
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between electric current and voltage?
Current is the rate at which charge actually flows past a point, measured in amperes; voltage is the electrical pressure pushing that charge along, measured in volts. Voltage can exist with no current flowing, as in a battery sitting on a shelf.
What is the difference between AC and DC current?
Direct current flows steadily in one direction, as from a battery. Alternating current reverses direction many times a second, which is what mains electricity supplies because it is easier to transmit over long distances.
Which way does electric current flow?
By convention current is drawn flowing from the positive terminal to the negative one. In a metal wire the electrons themselves actually move the other way, but the conventional direction is still used in circuit diagrams and calculations.
