conductor

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A person who stands in front of a musical group and directs the players or singers with hand movements.

   Grammar: Countable: a conductor, the conductor. Often used with of: the conductor of the orchestra.

   Patterns

   • the conductor of an orchestra
   • under a conductor

   The conductor raised her baton and the orchestra began.

   He is the conductor of the city choir.

   The conductor asked the violins to play more softly.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A substance or object that allows heat or electricity to pass through it.

   Grammar: Countable in technical use; often used with of: a good conductor of electricity.

   Patterns

   • a conductor of heat
   • a good conductor of electricity

   Copper is a very good conductor of electricity.

   Metal is a conductor, while rubber is an insulator.

3. 3nouncountableAmerican

   A person on a train who checks tickets and is in charge of the passengers.

   Grammar: Countable; American English. In British English the person may be called a guard.

   Patterns

   • the train conductor

   The conductor walked through the car checking tickets.

   Ask the conductor which stop is best for the museum.

Word forms

Common combinations

orchestra conductor

The orchestra conductor signaled for silence.

guest conductor

A guest conductor will lead the concert tonight.

good conductor of electricity

Silver is the best conductor of electricity among metals.

train conductor

The train conductor announced our arrival.

Synonyms and how they differ

maestro

A respectful title for a famous conductor, especially in classical music; more formal and admiring.

leader

A general word for someone in charge; a conductor is specifically a musical director.

Word family

conduct verb

To direct a musical group, or to allow heat or electricity to pass through.

conduction noun

The process by which heat or electricity moves through a material.

conductive adjective

Able to carry heat or electricity.

conductivity noun

The ability of a material to carry heat or electricity.

Commonly confused: conductor or conductor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “conductor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words