commutate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical, Engineering
Quick answer
What does “commutate” mean?
To reverse the direction of (an electric current) by switching contacts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To reverse the direction of (an electric current) by switching contacts.
To convert (an alternating current) into a direct current using a commutator; more broadly, to change or reverse the direction of something, especially a current or flow.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is identically technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no additional cultural or stylistic connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both dialects, confined to specialized engineering texts and discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “commutate” in a Sentence
[Subject: device/mechanism] commutates [Object: current][Subject: engineer] commutated [Object: current] with [Instrument: commutator]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “commutate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The brushes on the DC motor commutate the current in the armature windings.
- Early dynamos used a mechanical switch to commutate the generated AC into DC.
American English
- The controller's main function is to commutate the three-phase current for the brushless motor.
- Without a properly timed signal to commutate the current, the motor will not start.
adverb
British English
- <NONE>
American English
- <NONE>
adjective
British English
- <NONE>
American English
- <NONE>
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in electrical engineering and physics papers, specifically in discussions of electromechanical energy conversion.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in descriptions of DC machine operation and certain types of power converters.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commutate”
- Using 'commutate' to mean 'travel to work'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'change' or 'swap'.
- Confusing it with 'compute'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. 'Commute' commonly means to travel to work, while 'commutate' is a technical electrical engineering term for reversing a current.
Exclusively in electrical engineering, power electronics, and physics, specifically concerning DC machines, motors, generators, and rectifiers.
No, it has no application in general business language. Its usage is strictly technical.
The related noun is 'commutation', which refers to the act or process of commutating, or the state of being commutated. 'Commutator' is the name of the physical device that performs commutation.
To reverse the direction of (an electric current) by switching contacts.
Commutate is usually technical, engineering in register.
Commutate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒmjʊteɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːmjəteɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “<NONE>”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COMMUtator (the rotating switch in a motor) that needs to COMMUtATE (perform its action) on the current.
Conceptual Metaphor
The current is a traveler whose direction is forced to reverse at a specific switch point (the commutator).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'commutate'?