current
♦♦♦ cur|rent /k'ʌrənt, AM k'ɜːr-/ (currents)
1 [N-COUNT]
A current is a steady and continuous flowing movement of some of the water in a river, lake, or sea.
Under normal conditions, the ocean currents of the tropical Pacific travel from east to west...
The couple were swept away by the strong current.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A current is a steady flowing movement of air.
I felt a current of cool air blowing in my face.
3 [N-COUNT]
An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.
A powerful electric current is passed through a piece of graphite.
4 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N of n
A particular current is a particular feeling, idea, or quality that exists within a group of people.
Each party represents a distinct current of thought...
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Current means happening, being used, or being done at the present time.
The current situation is very different to that in 1990...
He plans to repeal a number of current policies...
● currently [ADV] ADV before v
Twelve potential vaccines are currently being tested on human volunteers...
6 [ADJ]
Ideas and customs that are current are generally accepted and used by most people.
Current thinking suggests that toxins only have a small part to play in the build up of cellulite...
7
see also alternating current, direct currental|ter|nat|ing cur|rent (alternating currents)
[N-VAR]
An alternating current is an electric current that continually changes direction as it flows. The abbreviation AC is also used.cur|rent ac|count (current accounts)
1 [N-COUNT]
A current account is a personal bank account which you can take money out of at any time using your cheque book or cash card. (BRIT; in AM, use checking account)
His current account was seriously overdrawn.
2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N n
A country's current account is the difference in value between its exports and imports over a particular period of time. (BUSINESS)
Portugal will probably have a small current-account surplus for 1992.cur|rent af|fairs
[N-PLURAL]
If you refer to current affairs, you are referring to political events and problems in society which are discussed in newspapers, and on television and radio.
...the BBC's current affairs programme `Panorama'.cur|rent as|sets (current assets)
[N-COUNT]
Current assets are assets which a company does not use on a continuous basis, such as stocks and debts, but which can be converted into cash within one year. (BUSINESS)
The company lists its current assets at $56.9 million.di|rect cur|rent (direct currents)
[N-VAR]
A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used.
Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current.
1 [N-COUNT]
A current is a steady and continuous flowing movement of some of the water in a river, lake, or sea.
Under normal conditions, the ocean currents of the tropical Pacific travel from east to west...
The couple were swept away by the strong current.
2 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A current is a steady flowing movement of air.
I felt a current of cool air blowing in my face.
3 [N-COUNT]
An electric current is a flow of electricity through a wire or circuit.
A powerful electric current is passed through a piece of graphite.
4 [N-COUNT] with supp, oft N of n
A particular current is a particular feeling, idea, or quality that exists within a group of people.
Each party represents a distinct current of thought...
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Current means happening, being used, or being done at the present time.
The current situation is very different to that in 1990...
He plans to repeal a number of current policies...
● currently [ADV] ADV before v
Twelve potential vaccines are currently being tested on human volunteers...
6 [ADJ]
Ideas and customs that are current are generally accepted and used by most people.
Current thinking suggests that toxins only have a small part to play in the build up of cellulite...
7
see also alternating current, direct currental|ter|nat|ing cur|rent (alternating currents)
[N-VAR]
An alternating current is an electric current that continually changes direction as it flows. The abbreviation AC is also used.cur|rent ac|count (current accounts)
1 [N-COUNT]
A current account is a personal bank account which you can take money out of at any time using your cheque book or cash card. (BRIT; in AM, use checking account)
His current account was seriously overdrawn.
2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N n
A country's current account is the difference in value between its exports and imports over a particular period of time. (BUSINESS)
Portugal will probably have a small current-account surplus for 1992.cur|rent af|fairs
[N-PLURAL]
If you refer to current affairs, you are referring to political events and problems in society which are discussed in newspapers, and on television and radio.
...the BBC's current affairs programme `Panorama'.cur|rent as|sets (current assets)
[N-COUNT]
Current assets are assets which a company does not use on a continuous basis, such as stocks and debts, but which can be converted into cash within one year. (BUSINESS)
The company lists its current assets at $56.9 million.di|rect cur|rent (direct currents)
[N-VAR]
A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used.
Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current.