Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
transformer [trans-fawr-mer] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for transformer on Thesaurus.com noun
- a person or thing that transforms.
- Electricity. an electric device consisting essentially of two or more windings wound on the same core, which by electromagnetic induction transforms electric energy from one set of one or more circuits to another set of one or more circuits such that the frequency of the energy remains unchanged while the voltage and current usually change.
Origin of transformer First recorded in 1595–1605; transform + -er1 Related Words for transformer cylinder, generator, transformer, turbine, tool, appliance, instrument, motor, weapon, diesel, mechanism, piston, adjective, adverb, conditioner, apparatus, means, pot, fan, contrivance Examples from the Web for transformer Contemporary Examples of transformer
We know that a transformer fire often leads to a power outage.
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August 22, 2013
They showed him a one-foot-high robot that looked like a transformer.
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Historical Examples of transformer
You know what a transformer does, but what does the name by itself convey?
Gordon Randall Garrett
This knob here controls a condenser, and this one a transformer.
The Radio Boys at the Sending Station
Allen Chapman
And all the while the humming of the transformer as the force field built up.
Clifford Donald Simak
The former is called “step-up” while the latter is a “step-down” transformer.
Willis Eugene Tower
It is an induced current produced by a transformer placed near the house.
Willis Eugene Tower
British Dictionary definitions for transformer transformer noun
- a device that transfers an alternating current from one circuit to one or more other circuits, usually with an increase (step-up transformer) or decrease (step-down transformer) of voltage. The input current is fed to a primary winding, the output being taken from a secondary winding or windings inductively linked to the primary
- a person or thing that transforms
Word Origin and History for transformer n.
“device to reduce electrical currents,” 1883, from French transformateur (1882); see transform.
transformer in Science transformer [trăns-fôr′mər]
- A device used to change the voltage of an alternating current in one circuit to a different voltage in a second circuit, or to partially isolate two circuits from each other. Transformers consist of two or more coils of conducting material, such as wire, wrapped around a core (often made of iron). The magnetic field produced by an alternating current in one coil induces a similar current in the other coils.♦ If there are fewer turns on the coil that carries the source of the power than there are on a second coil, the second coil will provide the same power but at a higher voltage. This is called a step-up transformer. ♦ If there are fewer turns on the second coil than on the source coil, the outgoing power will have a lower voltage. This is called a step-down transformer. Compare converter rectifier.
transformer in Culture transformer
A device used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another. With an alternating current, a transformer will either raise or lower the voltage as it makes the transfer.