conductor

conductor — noun

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

a + noun

the + noun

possessive + noun

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

the + noun

a + noun

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞

文法句型

a + noun

the + noun

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • transmitter

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

反義詞
  • insulator

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

文法句型

a + adjective + conductor + of + substance

conductor of + energy type

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.