Standard Lemma guide

overvoltage

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The difference between the electric potential of an electrode or cell under the passage of a current and the thermodynamic value of the electrode or cell potential in the absence of electrolysis.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: overpotential

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The hazardous condition that occurs when the voltage in a circuit is raised above that for which it was designed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To raise the voltage of a circuit beyond that for which it was designed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English voltage English overvoltage From over- + voltage.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ylipotentiaali — difference in potential
  • French: surtension — difference in potential
  • Hungarian: túlfeszültség — difference in potential
  • Italian: sovratensione — difference in potential
  • Finnish: ylijännite — hazardous condition
  • French: survoltage — hazardous condition
  • Hungarian: túlfeszültség — hazardous condition
  • Indonesian: tegangan lebih — hazardous condition
  • Italian: sovratensione — hazardous condition
  • Spanish: sobretensión — hazardous condition