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DictionarycapacitorElectrical charge storage
noun

capacitor

kuh-PAS-ih-tur/kəˈpæsɪtər/

An electrical component that stores charge and energy.

The capacitor contains conducting plates separated by an insulating layer.

Simple electronic capacitor component with two leads beside cutaway showing two metal plates separated by insulating layer; brief plus/minus charge marks only, no circuit or lettering.
Etymology
capacitEnglishpower to store electricity
+orLatinagent or device

Capacity acquired the specialized sense “power to store electricity”; the agent-style ending names a device that performs that storage.

In context

The Engineering Mindset0:26
A capacitor stores electric charge. It's a little bit like a battery, except it stores energy in a different way.
Capacitors Explained - The basics how capacitors work working principle

More examples

  • A damaged capacitor caused the circuit to fail.
  • The diagram shows a capacitor between the two connections.
  • The technician replaced the capacitor.

Forms

capacitor · capacitors

capacitance noun — the capacity to store electrical charge

Similar words

battery
A battery stores energy chemically; a capacitor stores it in an electric field.
resistor
A resistor opposes current and dissipates energy; a capacitor stores electrical charge and energy.