piezoelectricity

noun

pi·​e·​zo·​elec·​tric·​i·​ty pē-ˌā-(ˌ)zō-ə-ˌlek-ˈtri-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce piezoelectricity (audio)
pē-ˌāt-(ˌ)sō-
: electricity or electric polarity due to pressure especially in a crystalline substance (such as quartz)

Examples of piezoelectricity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The type of charge produced is called piezoelectricity, and quartz is the only abundant mineral on Earth that creates it, according to the study. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Sep. 2024 This enabled them to directly detect the piezoelectricity induced by friction by measuring the A/C conductance. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 5 Dec. 2023 The researchers also tested whether annealing both of these fiber orientations—a heating process that shifts the phase of molecules in the fibers—would affect the textiles’ piezoelectricity and ability to stimulate stem cell growth. IEEE Spectrum, 10 Dec. 2023 By introducing piezoelectricity into a thread that can be woven into a garment, Fink’s group is transplanting a hundred years of innovation into a new domain, endowing fabrics with capabilities that could be achieved previously only with devices that people strap on or carry. Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2019 Also, piezoelectricity usually creates small voltages. Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2013 Many previous harvesting schemes have tried to make use of piezoelectricity, which was discovered by Pierre Curie and keeps the beat in modern watches, but no one has succeed is getting significant amounts of power that way. Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011 Those were powered by piezoelectricity, the charge that accumulates in crystals and metal when they are squeezed or stressed. Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 24 Aug. 2011 And piezoelectricity is only one of many electronic capacities Fink’s lab is systematically mastering. Jonathon Keats, Discover Magazine, 3 Jan. 2019

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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piezoelectricity was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near piezoelectricity

Cite this Entry

“Piezoelectricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piezoelectricity. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

piezoelectricity

noun
pi·​ezo·​elec·​tric·​i·​ty -ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē, -ˈtris-tē How to pronounce piezoelectricity (audio)
plural piezoelectricities
: electricity or electric polarity due to pressure especially in a crystalline substance (as quartz)

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