conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

: one that conducts: such as

a

: guide

b

: a collector of fares in a public conveyance

a railroad conductor

c

: the leader of a musical ensemble

an orchestra conductor

d(1)

: a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily

Copper wire is a good conductor.

compare insulator, semiconductor

(2)

: a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (such as heat or sound)

Aluminum is a conductor of heat.

conductorial

ˌkän-ˌdək-ˈtȯr-ē-əl 

kən-

adjective

Examples of conductor in a Sentence

Metal is a good conductor of electricity.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students from Canyon Crest Academy, La Costa Canyon High School, San Dieguito Academy and Torrey Pines High School are slated to perform with the band, directed by guest conductor Bruce Mansfield. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025

The event brought together Warren, conductor Steven Reineke and a host of award-winning artists to pay tribute to her impact on decades of pop music. —Kristen Wisneski, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025

The New Leadership Profile McDougal believes that future-ready leaders will look less like commanders and more like conductors—guiding complexity through attunement rather than control. —Rebekah Bastian, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

An inexperienced oboe player ends up under the wing of her eccentric conductor? —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French conducteur "director, guide," borrowed from Medieval Latin conductor "employer, lessee, escort, guide," going back to Latin, "employer, contractor, lessee," from condūcere "to bring together, join, hire, accept a contract for" (Medieval Latin also "to lead, escort, provide a channel for [water]") + -tor, agent suffix — more at conduce

Note: Parallel to the Latinate form was Middle French conduiteur, Old French conduitour (from conduire "to guide, escort," going back to Latin condūcere), which was loaned into Middle English as conduytour. Compare conduit.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing conductor

• lightning conductor

Rhymes for conductor

• abductor
• constructor
• destructor
• inductor
• instructor
• semiconductor
• superconductor

Kids Definition

conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

1

: a person who collects fares in a public means of transportation (as a bus or railroad train)

2

: the leader of a musical group

3

: a substance or body that can allow electricity, heat, or sound to pass through it

Medical Definition

conductor

noun

con·​duc·​tor kən-ˈdək-tər 

1

a

: a material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily

b

: a material capable of transmitting another form of energy (as heat or sound)

2

: a bodily part (as a nerve fiber) that transmits excitation