conduction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “conduction” mean?
The process by which heat, electricity, or sound is directly transmitted through a medium without perceptible motion of the medium itself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process by which heat, electricity, or sound is directly transmitted through a medium without perceptible motion of the medium itself.
The transmission or conveying of something through a medium or along a path; in physiology, the transmission of nerve impulses; in management, the act of leading or guiding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly higher frequency in British academic writing on physics.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse; high in scientific/engineering contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conduction” in a Sentence
The conduction of [heat/electricity] through [material][Material] allows for the conduction of [energy]Conduction occurs when...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conduction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The copper pipe conducts heat efficiently.
- Neurons conduct electrical impulses.
American English
- This material conducts electricity poorly.
- The wire conducts the signal to the receiver.
adverb
British English
- The heat spread conductively through the plate.
- Energy was transferred conductively.
American English
- The nerve signal travels conductively along the axon.
- The metal cools conductively.
adjective
British English
- The conductive properties of graphene are remarkable.
- A conductive gel was applied for the test.
American English
- We need a highly conductive alloy.
- The conductive pathway was damaged.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in technical industries (e.g., 'thermal conduction properties of our new material').
Academic
Common in physics, engineering, physiology, and materials science papers.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly in simplified science contexts (e.g., 'Metals are good at heat conduction').
Technical
Core term in thermodynamics, electrical engineering, audiology, and neurology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “conduction”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “conduction”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conduction”
- Using 'conduction' for movement of matter (should be 'convection').
- Confusing 'electrical conduction' with 'electrical conductivity' (the latter is the property).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Conduction is direct transfer through a solid/stationary medium, convection involves fluid movement, and radiation is transfer via electromagnetic waves.
Extremely rarely, unless discussing technical properties of materials in product development or engineering reports.
It is primarily a noun. Related forms are the verb 'conduct', adjective 'conductive', and noun 'conductivity'.
It is common in scientific and technical fields but uncommon in everyday conversation, where simpler words like 'transfer' or 'transmission' are preferred.
The process by which heat, electricity, or sound is directly transmitted through a medium without perceptible motion of the medium itself.
Conduction is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Conduction: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈdʌkʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈdʌkʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(no common idioms)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONDUctor on a train who helps transfer people along the carriages; CONDUCTION helps transfer energy along a material.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENERGY TRANSFER IS A JOURNEY ALONG A PATH (e.g., 'The heat travels via conduction through the metal rod').
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a primary context for the word 'conduction'?