conductor

conductor — noun

1. someone who directs a musical group's performance by using visible signals — usu

1.nounB1
Definition

someone who directs a musical group's performance by using visible signals — usually with the hands or a baton — while standing at the front

Example

The conductor raised both arms, and the orchestra fell completely silent.

conductor + orchestra: directing with arm movements

Liang joined the school choir after the conductor praised his voice.

Common collocations
  • orchestra conductor
  • choir conductor
  • guest conductor
  • assistant conductor
  • music conductor
  • conductor's baton
Synonyms
  • maestro

    Italian term implying great skill and respect, often used as a title for famous conductors

  • bandleader

    leads a jazz, pop, or marching band rather than a classical orchestra

  • choir director

    specifically leads a singing group rather than an instrumental ensemble

Grammar Patterns

a + noun

the + noun

possessive + noun

Usage Note

The musical group being directed is usually named in the same sentence (orchestra, choir, band). Without a group name, the default reading is orchestral conductor.

Common Mistakes

The film conductor won an award for her work on the movie.
The film director won an award for her work on the movie.
A 'conductor' leads musicians, while a 'director' is in charge of making a film.

2. the railway employee who has overall responsibility for a train during its journ

2.nounB1
Definition

the railway employee who has overall responsibility for a train during its journey, including safety and passenger service

Example

The conductor announced over the speakers that the train would arrive twenty minutes late.

conductor announces delay to passengers

Ramón showed the conductor his ticket and asked if the train stopped at the airport.

show ticket to conductor and ask about stops

Common collocations
  • train conductor
  • assistant conductor
  • the conductor announces
  • the conductor checks tickets
Synonyms
  • guard

    British English term for the person in charge of a train

  • train manager

    modern British term used on some rail services

  • engineer

    in American English this means the driver, not the conductor — do not confuse

Grammar Patterns

the + noun

a + noun

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3: the train conductor has overall responsibility for the journey and crew, not just for collecting tickets. In British English, this role is often called a 'guard' or 'train manager'.

Common Mistakes

The bus conductor checked everyone's tickets before the train left.
The train conductor checked everyone's tickets before the train left.
A 'bus conductor' works on a bus (sense 3); the official in charge of a train is the 'train conductor' (sense 2).

3. a worker who travels on buses or trains and handles payments from people riding

3.nounB1
Definition

a worker who travels on buses or trains and handles payments from people riding them

Example

The bus conductor rang the bell to signal the driver that the bus was full.

bus conductor + signal the driver

Dewi handed the conductor her fare and received a small paper ticket in return.

Common collocations
  • bus conductor
  • conductor collects fares
  • conductor checks tickets
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

a + noun

the + noun

Usage Note

This role has become less common in many cities where passengers now pay the driver or use fare machines. The word is still used in some countries with older public transport systems.

Common Mistakes

The ticket conductor took my bags to the luggage car.
The porter took my bags to the luggage car.
A conductor handles tickets, not luggage; the person who carries bags is a 'porter'.

4. a material that lets heat, electricity, or sound pass through it easily

4.nounB2
Definition

a material that lets heat, electricity, or sound pass through it easily

Example

Copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, so builders use it for household wiring.

excellent conductor of electricity

Wood is a poor conductor of heat, so kitchen spoons are often made of it.

Common collocations
  • good conductor
  • poor conductor
  • excellent conductor
  • electrical conductor
  • heat conductor
  • conductor of electricity
  • conductor of heat
Synonyms
  • transmitter

    broader term used for signals and energy, not specific to electricity or heat

Antonyms
  • insulator

    a material that does NOT let heat, electricity, or sound pass through easily

Grammar Patterns

a + adjective + conductor + of + substance

conductor of + energy type

Usage Note

Often modified by a quality adjective (good/poor/excellent) followed by 'of' and the medium being conducted (electricity, heat, sound). The opposite is an 'insulator'.

Common Mistakes

Glass is a good conductor of electricity.
Glass is a good insulator of electricity.
Glass blocks electricity rather than letting it pass through; 'conductor' and 'insulator' are opposites.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

While all four words describe someone who leads, they differ in scope and formality. 'Conductor' (sense 1) is the standard term for a person who directs an orchestra, choir, or other large musical ensemble using visual cues. 'Maestro' is an Italian loanword that carries connotations of exceptional skill, respect, and seniority — calling someone a maestro implies greatness, while 'conductor' is neutral. 'Bandleader' typically refers to the leader of a jazz, pop, or marching band who often also plays an instrument; this person may not use a baton and usually performs alongside the group. 'Choir director' is specific to vocal groups and often works with a keyboard or piano rather than an orchestra. 'Director' without qualification usually means a film or theatre director — when used for music, it is normally specified as 'music director.' For example: 'The conductor bowed as the audience applauded.' 'The bandleader counted the band into the first song. 'The maestro gave a masterclass to the young musicians.'

maestrobandleaderchoir directordirector ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • conductor's baton
  • conductor's podium
  • conductor's uniform
  • conductor's car

Phrases

  • act as conductor
  • work as a conductor
  • become a conductor

Prepositions

  • of a good/poor/excellent conductor of something
  • with work with the conductor
  • as serve as a conductor

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'conductor' comes from Latin 'conductor', meaning 'one who hires or leads', derived from 'conducere' — 'to lead together' (con- 'together' + ducere 'to lead'). It entered English in the 1500s through French 'conductour'. The musical sense appeared in the early 1700s as orchestras grew large enough to need a visible leader. The railway sense followed in the early 1800s with the first passenger trains. The physics sense (a material that transmits energy) emerged in the mid-1700s as scientists studied electricity and heat.