dynamo

noun

dy·na·mo ˈdī-nə-ˌmō

plural dynamos

Synonyms of dynamo next

: generator sense 1b

: a forceful energetic individual

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The dynamo was introduced in 1867 to produce electricity for commercial use. Like all later generators, the original dynamos changed mechanical energy (produced by steam, which was itself produced by burning coal) into electricity. The word is less used today than it once was, since it's often applied only to generators that produced direct electric current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC), which is now the standard. A human dynamo is a person who seems to have unlimited energy.

Examples of dynamo in a Sentence

a dynamo who barely needs to sleep, or so it seems

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers hope that a better understanding of the sun's dynamo could help predict future solar flares. —

Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 24 May 2024 That collapse suddenly deletes the dynamo powering the magnetic fields, releasing their energy in the form of a fast radio burst. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 11 June 2024 Even when the movie loses its way, McCarthy is a dynamo as a woman finally finding her voice. —

Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 May 2024 This understanding, quantified in Maxwell's equations—a mathematical model for electricity, magnetism and light—laid the foundation for the invention of the dynamo, electricity generation for industries and households, and telecommunications: telegraph, telephone, radio and television. —

Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2020 See all Example Sentences for dynamo

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dynamo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

short for dynamo-electric machine, translation of German dynamo-elektrische Maschine; dynamo-elektrisch, probably by inversion of elektrodynamisch electrodynamic

Note: According to the Oxford English Dictionary (first edition, 1897), "The full name dynamo-electric machine was given by [Werner] Siemens in 1867, to distinguish his invention from the magneto-electric machines previously used, in which the electric current was generated by means of a permanent magnet." This statement appears to be based on a citation from The Times (December 5, 1882), according to which, "Professor Thompson [not further identified] said that the name 'dynamo-electric machine' was first applied by Dr. Werner Siemens in a communication made in January, 1867, to the Berlin Academy." The communication in question was "Ueber die Umwandlung von Arbeitskraft in elektrischen Strom ohne Anwendung permanenter Magnete," published in Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Band 130 (1867), pp. 332-35. The article does in fact describe a generator with rotating coils, but nowhere does Siemens use the word dynamo-elektrisch or the phrase dynamo-elektrische Maschine; the closest he comes is magnetelektrisch for the opposing term. The first appearance of dynamo-elektrisch must date some time after this.

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of dynamo was in 1882

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Style

“Dynamo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynamo. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

dynamo

noun

dy·na·mo ˈdī-nə-ˌmō

plural dynamos

: generator sense a

: a forceful energetic person

Last Updated: 5 Jul 2024 - Updated example sentences

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dynamo

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of dynamo in a Sentence

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