Meaning & use

alternator

noun·Advanced

A device that generates alternating electrical current, commonly used to recharge a vehicle's battery.

See it in a sentence

The mechanic discovered that a faulty alternator was draining the car's battery.

The alternator converts the engine's mechanical energy into electricity while driving.

A note on using this word

In cars, the alternator keeps the battery charged while the engine runs, unlike the battery, which stores power for starting.

Words with a similar meaning

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