NYT Dictionary

CAPACITOR

/kəˈpæ.sə.tɚ/
Nounca-PAC-i-torca-pac-i-tor · 4 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023, 2026

Meaning

An electronic component capable of storing electrical energy in an electric field; especially one consisting of two conductors separated by a dielectric.

Etymology

Origin: Unknown

From capacity + -or. Capacitor replaced the term condenser (coined by Alessandro Volta in 1782) to disambiguate it from steam condenser. The coiner is unknown but the change was recommended in 1926 by British Standard Glossary of Terms in Electrical Engineering.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

condenserelectrical condensercapacitancedevicegeneratorpartsrelay

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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