noun
Uncommon
conductivity
kuhn-duk-TIV-ih-tee
Conductivity (noun) means the ability of a material to carry electricity, heat, fluid or sound. Example: “Copper has much higher electrical conductivity than plastic.”
noun
1
The ability of a material to carry electricity, heat, fluid or sound.
"Copper has much higher electrical conductivity than plastic."
"Adding salt to water increases its conductivity."
"Engineers measured the conductivity of the new alloy before using it in wiring."
How to use conductivity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow easily something lets electricity, heat or another form of energy pass through it.
When to use it
It is a technical term used mainly in physics, chemistry and engineering contexts.
Memory tip
Remember that higher conductivity means something carries electricity or heat more easily, not less.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
conduction →
conductance
Common pairings
electrical conductivity
thermal conductivity
high conductivity
low conductivity
measure conductivity
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Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Copper has much higher electrical _____ than plastic.
Etymology
The word is built from the adjective conductive with the suffix -ity added, which turns an adjective into a noun naming a quality or state.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for conductivity
See all rhymes for conductivity →Frequently asked questions
What does conductivity mean?
It is how well a material lets electricity, heat, fluid or sound pass through it. A material with high conductivity carries these things easily.
Is conductivity the same as resistivity?
No, in physics conductivity is the reciprocal of resistivity, so the two measure opposite properties of a material.
What has high conductivity?
Metals such as copper and silver are known for high electrical conductivity, which is why they are used in wiring.
What is the meaning of conductivity?
"conductivity" (noun) means the ability of a material to carry electricity, heat, fluid or sound.
