volt

UK: /ˈvəʊlt/ US: /voʊlt/ ,(vōlt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

volt¹ /voʊlt/   n. [countable]

1. Electricity a standard unit of measure for electrical force. Abbr.: V

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

volt¹ (vōlt), n. [Elect.]

1. Electricity the SI unit of potential difference and electromotive force, formally defined to be the difference of electric potential between two points of a conductor carrying a constant current of one ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is equal to one watt. Abbr.: V

• named after A. Volta 1870–75

volt² (vōlt),  n. 

1. Dog and Cat Breeds, Sport [Manège.]
   • a circular or turning movement of a horse.
   • a gait in which a horse going sideways turns around a center, with the head turned outward.
2. Sport [Fencing.] a sudden movement or leap to avoid a thrust.

• Vulgar Latin *volvitare, frequentative of Latin volvere to turn; see vault²
• Italian volta, noun, nominal derivative of voltare to turn
• French volte
• 1650–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

volt / vəʊlt/ noun

1. the derived SI unit of electric potential; the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere, when the power dissipated between these points is 1 watt
   Symbol: V

Etymology: 19th Century: named after Count Alessandro Volta²

volt, volte / vɒlt/ noun

1. a small circle of determined size executed in dressage
2. a leap made in fencing to avoid an opponent's thrust

Etymology: 17th Century: from French volte, from Italian volta a turn, ultimately from Latin volvere to turn