alternator

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tor ˈȯl-tər-ˌnā-tər 

 also  ˈal-

: an electric generator for producing alternating current

Examples of alternator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The navy said the fishermen had reported damage to their boat’s alternator two days after setting sail from Pucusana Bay, south of Peru’s capital Lima. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2025

The quieting process has continued: In the 1960s, quiet alternators began replacing noisy generators, and electronic ignition started replacing noisy distributors. —Mark A. McHenry, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2015

In the 1920s, improvements in vacuum tubes made this combination of Alexanderson alternator and magnetic amplifier obsolete. —IEEE Spectrum, 27 Mar. 2022

The new launch will also have a 48-volt electrical assistance system, made up of a 1/7 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery attached to a belt alternator starter and a power train generator. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

alternate entry 2 + -or entry 1

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alternator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator
• calculator

Kids Definition

alternator

noun

al·​ter·​na·​tor ˈȯl-tər-ˌnāt-ər 

 also  ˈal-

: an electric generator for producing alternating current