resistor: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical
Quick answer
What does “resistor” mean?
An electrical component designed to impede or resist the flow of current in a circuit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An electrical component designed to impede or resist the flow of current in a circuit.
In a broader, non-technical context, something or someone that opposes or offers resistance to a force, process, or idea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely technical/neutral. Any figurative use is equally rare in both dialects.
Frequency
Virtually zero frequency in general English corpora; extremely high frequency in electronics/engineering texts.
Grammar
How to Use “resistor” in a Sentence
The [adjective] resistor [verb]...A resistor of [value/type]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resistor” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form 'to resistor'. The related verb is 'to resist']
American English
- [No standard verb form 'to resistor'. The related verb is 'to resist']
adverb
British English
- [No adverbial form]
American English
- [No adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjectival form. The related adjective is 'resistive']
American English
- [No standard adjectival form. The related adjective is 'resistive']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. May appear in procurement, manufacturing, or R&D contexts (e.g., 'The shortage of chip resistors is affecting production').
Academic
Core term in physics, electronics, and electrical engineering textbooks and papers.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of specific hobbies (e.g., electronics tinkering) or DIY repair contexts.
Technical
The primary domain. Used precisely to denote a specific two-terminal passive component characterised by its resistance, measured in ohms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resistor”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resistor”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resistor”
- Misspelling as 'resister' (which is a person who resists).
- Using 'resistor' to mean 'resistance' (e.g., 'The resistor of the wire is high' – incorrect; should be 'The resistance of the wire is high').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Resistance' (measured in ohms) is the property of opposing current flow. A 'resistor' is the physical component designed to provide a specific amount of resistance.
Very rarely and only as a deliberate metaphor. The standard word for a person who resists is 'resister'.
The coloured bands form a colour code that indicates the resistor's nominal value (in ohms) and its tolerance (accuracy).
The circuit may not work as designed. Too low a resistance might allow excessive current, damaging components. Too high a resistance might prevent a component, like an LED, from turning on.
An electrical component designed to impede or resist the flow of current in a circuit.
Resistor is usually technical in register.
Resistor: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈzɪstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No established idioms for 'resistor']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A RESISTOR RE-SISTS the flow of electricity, making it slow down.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELECTRIC CURRENT IS A FLUID / RESISTANCE IS FRICTION. A resistor is like a narrow pipe in a water system, creating friction that reduces flow.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a resistor?