COMMUTATOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does commutator mean? 

• COMMUTATOR (noun)
  The noun COMMUTATOR has 1 sense:

1. switch for reversing the direction of an electric current

  Familiarity information: COMMUTATOR used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• COMMUTATOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Switch for reversing the direction of an electric current

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("commutator" is a kind of...):

electric switch; electrical switch; switch (control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit)

Derivation:

commutate (reverse the direction of (an alternating electric current) each half cycle so as to produce a unidirectional current)