current

 
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌr(ə)nt/

adjective

  • belonging to the present time; happening or being used or done now: keep abreast of current events I started my current job in 2001
  • in common or general use: the other meaning of the word is still current

noun

  • 1a body of water or air moving in a definite direction, especially through a surrounding body of water or air in which there is less movement: ocean currents
  • 2a flow of electricity which results from the ordered directional movement of electrically charged particles: this completes the circuit so that a current flows to the lamp magnetic fields are produced by currents flowing in the cables
  • a quantity representing the rate of flow of electric charge, usually measured in amperes: at high currents there is wasteful power dissipation
  • 3the general tendency or course of events or opinion: the student movement formed a distinct current of protest

Origin:

Middle English (in the adjective sense 'running, flowing'): from Old French corant 'running', from courre 'run', from Latin currere 'run'

Do not confuse current with currant. Current means 'happening now' ( current events) or 'a flow of water, air, or electricity' ( strong ocean currents), whereas currant means 'a dried grape' ( currant cake).