conductor
kuhn-DUHKT
Conductor (noun) means a person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians. Example: “The conductor raised her baton and the orchestra fell silent.”
noun
1
A person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians.
"The conductor raised her baton and the orchestra fell silent."
"He studied under a famous conductor in Vienna."
"The choir watched their conductor closely for the signal to begin singing."
2
A person who collects tickets and assists passengers on a train or bus.
"The conductor walked through the carriage checking tickets."
"She asked the conductor which stop was hers."
"The bus conductor rang the bell twice and told everyone to move down the aisle."
3
A material or object that allows electricity, heat, or sound to pass through it.
"Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity."
"Metal rods act as conductors, carrying lightning safely to the ground."
"Rubber is a poor conductor, which is why electricians use it to cover wires."
How to use conductor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone (or something) that leads, guides, or carries something along — a person directing music, a train worker, or a material that lets electricity flow.
Common mistake
Don't confuse a train conductor (checks tickets, helps passengers) with the driver, who actually operates the train.
Common pairings
orchestra conductor
train conductor
good conductor of heat
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Word forms
- Plural
- conductors
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ raised her baton and the orchestra fell silent.
Etymology
From Middle French conductour, going back to Latin conductor, "one who leads or hires" — from the same root as "conduct."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for conductor
See all rhymes for conductor →Frequently asked questions
What does “conductor” mean?
The word “conductor” means a person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians. In plain terms, someone (or something) that leads, guides, or carries something along — a person directing music, a train worker, or a material that lets electricity flow.
How do you pronounce “conductor”?
“Conductor” is pronounced kuhn-DUHKT (/kənˈdʌktɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “conductor” in a sentence?
Here is “conductor” used in a sentence: “The conductor raised her baton and the orchestra fell silent.”
What part of speech is “conductor”?
“Conductor” is a noun.
Where does the word “conductor” come from?
The word “conductor” comes from Latin. From Middle French conductour, going back to Latin conductor, "one who leads or hires" — from the same root as "conduct.".
Is “conductor” a common word?
“Conductor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “conductor” have?
“Conductor” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians.
What is the difference between a conductor and a composer?
A conductor directs an orchestra, choir, or other group of musicians during a performance, interpreting and leading the music, while a composer is the person who originally wrote the music being performed.
What is a conductor in physics or electricity?
In physics, a conductor is a material or object that allows electricity, heat, or sound to pass through it easily, such as copper wire conducting electricity. This meaning is unrelated to the musical or transport senses of the word.
What does a conductor do on a train or bus?
A conductor on a train or bus collects tickets and assists passengers, a role distinct from both the musical conductor who leads an orchestra and the physics sense referring to a material that conducts electricity or heat.
