Meaning & use
ampere
Last updated
UK/ˈæmpeə/
US/ˈæmpɪr/
Meaning
nouncountable
The standard unit for measuring the strength of an electric current.
Grammar: Countable; use 'an ampere' or 'amperes'.
Patterns
- an ampere of current
- measured in amperes
The fuse is rated for 13 amperes.
A typical household circuit can carry about 15 amperes.
The device draws only a few amperes of current.
Word forms
| plural | amperes |
|---|
Common combinations
- ampere-hour
- The battery has a capacity of 100 ampere-hours.
- ampere reading
- The meter gave an ampere reading of 2.5.
- ampere rating
- Check the ampere rating before plugging it in.
Synonyms and how they differ
- amp
- Informal shortening of 'ampere'; common in everyday speech but avoid in formal writing.
Word family
- amperage noun
- The strength of an electric current, measured in amperes.
Commonly confused: ampere or voltage? ampere or watt?
ampere vs voltage
Voltage measures electrical pressure, while ampere measures current flow.
ampere vs watt
Watt measures power, not current; one watt equals one ampere times one volt.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'ampere' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Amperes measure electric current, so 'carry 10 amperes of current' is correct. Options A, C, and D incorrectly use ampere for power, voltage, or resistance.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ampere”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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