alternating current

noun

: an electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals
abbreviation AC

Examples of alternating current in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The inverter is bidirectional, so that alternating current produced by the e-axle under regenerative braking is turned into direct current to charge the battery. Jason Barlow, WIRED, 17 Oct. 2024 The Power of Solar Energy At its core, AY’s system collects energy from the sun using solar panels, stores it in batteries, and converts it to alternating current (AC) using an inverter. Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024 Central to the movie’s gathering power is its time-shifting structure, which folds the recent past into the current story like alternating currents. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2024 There is also room for greater efficiency after the electricity is generated, when power is lost as direct current (produced from the panels) is converted to alternating current (required for distribution by the electrical grid). Dickon Pinner, Foreign Affairs, 16 Feb. 2015 See all Example Sentences for alternating current 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alternating current.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alternating current was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near alternating current

Cite this Entry

“Alternating current.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alternating%20current. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

alternating current

noun
: an electric current that reverses its direction at regular intervals
abbreviation AC

More from Merriam-Webster on alternating current

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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