noun
Common
voltage
VOHL-tihj
Voltage (noun) means the difference in electrical potential between two points, which drives current through a circuit. Example: “Batteries come in different sizes and different voltage ratings.”
noun
1
The difference in electrical potential between two points, which drives current through a circuit.
"Batteries come in different sizes and different voltage ratings."
"The system voltage is 630 volts d.c. and the supply to the trains is by top-contact third rail with running rail return."
— , Recent Changes on the Tyneside Electrified Lines (1956)
"The voltage between the wires is too low to produce a spark."
"Check the voltage before plugging in a foreign appliance."
"A power surge can spike the voltage and damage electronics."
"Be careful when opening high-voltage equipment."
How to use voltage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe electrical "pressure" that pushes current through a wire or device.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
high voltage
low voltage
voltage drop
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like voltage.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- voltages
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Batteries come in different sizes and different _____ ratings.
Etymology
From volt + the noun-forming suffix -age, ultimately honoring Alessandro Volta, inventor of the battery.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for voltage
See all rhymes for voltage →Frequently asked questions
What does “voltage” mean?
The word “voltage” means the difference in electrical potential between two points, which drives current through a circuit. In plain terms, the electrical "pressure" that pushes current through a wire or device.
How do you pronounce “voltage”?
“Voltage” is pronounced VOHL-tihj (/ˈvoʊltɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “voltage” in a sentence?
Here is “voltage” used in a sentence: “Check the voltage before plugging in a foreign appliance.”
What part of speech is “voltage”?
“Voltage” is a noun.
Is “voltage” a common word?
“Voltage” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between voltage and current?
Voltage is the difference in electrical potential between two points; it is the push that drives current through a circuit. Current is the resulting flow of electric charge, measured in amperes. A common analogy is water in a pipe: voltage is the pressure, current is the flow.
What is the difference between voltage and volts?
Voltage is the quantity, the difference in electrical potential between two points, while the volt is the unit used to measure it. Saying "the voltage is 12 volts" works like saying "the distance is 12 metres": voltage parallels distance, and volts parallel metres.
Is voltage measured in volts or watts?
Voltage is measured in volts. Watts measure power, the rate at which electrical energy is transferred, which depends on voltage and current multiplied together. Amperes, meanwhile, measure current rather than voltage.
Can there be voltage without current?
Yes. A battery sitting unconnected has a voltage across its terminals even though no current flows. Voltage is a difference in electrical potential between two points; current only flows when a complete circuit gives the charge a path.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include voltage:
