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piezoelectricity


Definition of piezoelectricity

noun

[mass noun]
  • electric polarization in a substance (especially certain crystals) resulting from the application of mechanical stress.

Piezoelectric substances are able to convert mechanical signals (such as sound waves) into electrical signals, and vice versa. They are therefore widely used in microphones, gramophone pickups, and earphones, and also to generate a spark for lighting gas

Derivatives

piezoelectric

Pronunciation: /-ɪˈlɛktrɪk/

adjective

piezoelectrically


adverb

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek piezein 'press, squeeze' + electricity

piezoelectricity in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of piezoelectricity in the US English dictionary