What does conductivity mean?
Conductivity is a noun referring to the capacity of a substance — whether solid, liquid, or gas — to transmit energy, most commonly electricity or heat. It is a fundamental concept in physics and engineering: metals like copper and silver are valued for their high electrical conductivity, while materials such as rubber and glass are prized for their low conductivity, making them effective insulators. Thermal conductivity describes how readily a material transfers heat, which matters in applications from cookware to building insulation. The word derives from Latin roots meaning 'to lead together', entered English usage in the nineteenth century alongside the rise of electrical science, and remains standard technical vocabulary today. Related forms include the adjective 'conductive' and the nouns 'conduction' and 'conductor'. Conductivity is neutral in register, appearing mainly in scientific, industrial, and educational contexts, and it is typically quantified by measurement rather than described impressionistically.
nounThe ability of a material or substance to conduct electricity, heat, or sound; the degree to which something transmits such energy or a charge.
- The ability or capacity of a substance to conduct electricity, heat, or another form of energy (physics).
"Copper is prized in electrical wiring for its high conductivity."
"Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of any element at room temperature."
"Engineers selected the alloy for its low thermal conductivity, which keeps the handle cool during cooking."
Rarely pluralised; the plural appears mainly in technical literature comparing the conductivity values of multiple materials.
"The paper tabulates the thermal conductivities of several insulating polymers."
Diamond, the ultimate symbol of luxury, conducts heat five times better than copper — yet it doesn't conduct electricity at all.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of conductivity
Conductivity comes from the Latin verb 'conducere', meaning 'to lead or bring together', formed from 'com-' ('together') and 'ducere' ('to lead'). The English word 'conduct' was borrowed via Old French from this root, and the adjective 'conductive' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity' produced 'conductivity' in the course of the nineteenth century, when the study of electricity demanded precise terminology. It shares its origin with words such as 'conductor', 'conduction', and 'ductile', all descended from the same Latin stem 'ducere'.
Related word forms
How conductivity is actually used
A technical term used chiefly in physics, engineering, and materials science; neutral in connotation. It appears most often in scientific and industrial writing rather than everyday conversation. In chemistry, 'conductivity' may also refer to the measure of how well a solution carries an electric current, as in 'molar conductivity'.
Easily confused with conductivity
Conductance is the reciprocal of resistance measured in siemens, while conductivity is an intrinsic property of a material independent of its size or shape.