commutator: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “commutator” mean?
A device in an electric motor or generator that reverses the direction of electrical current, ensuring continuous rotation or direct current output.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device in an electric motor or generator that reverses the direction of electrical current, ensuring continuous rotation or direct current output.
In mathematics, specifically group theory, an element of the form ghg⁻¹h⁻¹ for two elements g and h of a group, measuring the degree to which they fail to commute.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Minor potential variance in pronunciation.
Connotations
Purely technical with no cultural or contextual connotations.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to specialist discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “commutator” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] of the [NOUN] (e.g., commutator of the motor)A [ADJ] commutator (e.g., a segmented commutator)To [VERB] the commutator (e.g., to undercut the commutator)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in electrical engineering, physics, and mathematics (group theory) textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An everyday speaker might refer vaguely to 'something inside the motor'.
Technical
The primary context. Essential vocabulary for electrical engineers, motor technicians, and mathematicians.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “commutator”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “commutator”
- Misspelling as 'comutator' or 'commutor'.
- Confusing it with a 'slip ring' (which provides a continuous connection, not a reversing one).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'switch'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A slip ring provides a continuous electrical connection to a rotating part, while a commutator is a segmented ring designed to reverse the connection periodically.
No, 'commutator' is exclusively a noun. The related verb is 'commute' (as in mathematics: 'The operators do not commute').
Sparking can occur due to worn brushes, a dirty or uneven commutator surface, or incorrect brush positioning, which breaks the electrical connection imperfectly.
In group theory, the commutator [g, h] = ghg⁻¹h⁻¹ measures how much two elements fail to commute (i.e., gh ≠ hg). It is fundamental in defining concepts like commutator subgroups and nilpotent groups.
A device in an electric motor or generator that reverses the direction of electrical current, ensuring continuous rotation or direct current output.
Commutator is usually technical/formal in register.
Commutator: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒm.jʊ.teɪ.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.mjə.teɪ.t̬ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COMMUTEr traffic - it goes back and forth. A COMMUTATOR sends electrical current back and forth to keep a motor turning.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TRAFFIC DIRECTOR FOR ELECTRONS, changing their path at the right moment to maintain motion.
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you LEAST likely encounter the term 'commutator' in its technical sense?