conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈti-və-tē 

kən-

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: such as

a

: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity

b

: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli

Examples of conductivity in a Sentence

measuring the conductivity of different metals

Recent Examples on the Web

The science payload to be landed there includes seismometers, a drill to allow emplacement of heat flow and electrical conductivity probes, and instruments to study the magnetic field and surface weathering. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025

The fluff layer’s poor thermal conductivity also means that heat has a hard time propagating downward into the lunar regolith. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 6 Mar. 2025

Thomas Edison’s electric light bulb and power distribution systems and Nikola Tesla’s alternating current innovations relied on copper’s conductivity and corrosion resistance, enabling widespread electrification. —Ed MacHa, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025

Stainless steel has low thermal conductivity which lends to great heat retention. —Wilder Davies, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

conductive + -ity

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conductivity

• absorptivity
• affectivity
• collectivity
• connectivity
• corrosivity
• creativity
• diffusivity
• directivity
• effectivity
• emissivity
• exclusivity
• expressivity

Kids Definition

conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

kən-

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting

Medical Definition

conductivity

noun

con·​duc·​tiv·​i·​ty ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtiv-ət-ē, kən- 

plural conductivities

: the quality or power of conducting or transmitting: as

a

: the reciprocal of electrical resistivity

b

: the quality of living matter responsible for the transmission of and progressive reaction to stimuli