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

Advanced conductors allow wires to carry twice as much electricity as in the past. —Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025

Fortrea — The pharmaceutical trial conductor fell more than 9%. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025

For the uninitiated, the Hall effect, first discovered in 1879 by Edwin Hall, is a phenomenon where an electric current flowing through a conductor or semiconductor in the presence of a magnetic field produces a voltage across the material. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 6 Sep. 2025

While music can play on forever under the baton of a fresh conductor and dance can be handed down via choreographic records from one generation to the next, last night’s theatrical triumph can never be fully replicated. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 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