amps
|amps|
B1
/æmps/
(amp)
electric current or amplifier
Etymology
Etymology Information
'amp' originates from 'ampere', named after the French physicist André-Marie Ampère.
Historical Evolution
'ampere' was adopted into English from French, and 'amp' became a colloquial abbreviation.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred specifically to the unit of electric current, but it also came to mean 'amplifier' in colloquial use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'amp', a unit of electric current.
The circuit can handle up to 10 amps.
Synonyms
Noun 2
short for 'amplifiers', devices that increase the power of a signal.
The band used several amps to boost their sound.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/24 02:36