What does voltage mean?
Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points in a circuit, measured in volts. It is the electrical “push” that drives charged particles through a conductor, although resistance and current also affect how much charge actually flows. Engineers use voltage when describing power supplies, transmission lines, household wiring, electronic components, and safety limits. High voltage can be useful in applications such as power transmission and industrial processes, but it can also damage equipment and create serious hazards. The word also has a less common figurative use for intense emotional or dramatic tension, as in a charged exchange between people. Voltage is distinct from current: voltage describes the potential difference, whereas current describes the rate of electric flow. Together, these concepts form the basis of much of electrical engineering and help explain why devices are labeled with particular voltage requirements.
nounAn electric potential difference between two points, measured in volts. By extension, it can refer figuratively to intense emotional or nervous tension.
- An electric potential difference between two points, measured in volts.
- A state of intense emotional, nervous, or dramatic tension.
"The engineer increased the voltage before testing the circuit."
"A surge in voltage caused the lights to flicker briefly."
"The tension between the two candidates was palpable, though neither admitted it."
The regular plural is used when referring to different voltage levels or measurements.
"The system can tolerate several voltages without losing efficiency."
Voltage and the unit called the volt honor Alessandro Volta, whose pioneering work on batteries helped launch the age of electrical experimentation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does voltage come from?
The word entered English through French voltage, which was formed from the surname Volta in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta. English usage developed during the nineteenth century as electrical science advanced. The related unit, the volt, also commemorates Volta, while voltaic and voltmeter reflect the same historical influence through the electrical terminology built around his name.
How voltage is actually used
In electrical contexts, voltage is a standard technical term and is not restricted to a particular region. The figurative sense is less common and usually conveys heightened emotion or tension rather than a precise psychological condition.
Easily confused with voltage
Voltage is the potential difference that drives charge through a circuit, while current is the rate at which electric charge flows.