Conducting

kənˈdʌktɪŋ

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To direct the execution of (something); to lead or guide

kənˈdʌktɪŋ

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To direct or guide the course of something

The manager is conducting the project meeting.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're organizing a game or a project. Conducting means you're in charge and making sure everything goes smoothly. Like, the coach is conducting the team to win!

👶 For kids: When you're conducting, you're showing people what to do, like a teacher in class or a conductor of music.

More Examples

2

She conducted a thorough investigation of the incident.

3

Heat can be conducted through metal.

How It's Used

Business

"The CEO is conducting the company's strategy meeting."

Music

"The maestro is conducting the orchestra."

Science

"Copper is known for conducting electricity very efficiently."

2

To transmit or carry (something, such as electricity or heat)

kənˈdʌktɪŋ

verbneutralIntermediate
Action

To transmit or serve as a medium for something

The metal pipes conduct heat efficiently.

💡 Simply: Imagine a wire carrying electricity or a pipe carrying water. Conducting here means to let something move through. Think of a metal spoon conducting heat from your soup!

👶 For kids: When something is conducting, it's like a road for electricity or heat to go through.

More Examples

2

The wires are conducting electricity.

3

The experiment revealed how different materials conduct energy.

How It's Used

Science

"Copper conducts electricity well."

Physics

"The wire is conducting electricity."

Tip:Think of how wires conduct electricity from the power source to your appliances.
3

To manage or direct (oneself) in a specified way

kənˈdʌktɪŋ

verbneutralIntermediate
Behavior

To behave in a particular way

He conducted himself with grace under pressure.

💡 Simply: How you act or behave. Like, if you're conducting yourself politely, you're being nice and respectful.

👶 For kids: When you're conducting yourself, it's how you act, like being polite or being naughty.

More Examples

2

The team conducted themselves professionally.

3

The investigation focused on how they conducted their affairs.

How It's Used

Social

"The ambassador conducted himself with utmost diplomacy."

Ethics

"The company needs to ensure it is conducting its business ethically."

Tip:Think of how someone presents themselves in public; their conduct reflects their behavior.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

Conduct business

To engage in commercial activities.

"The company decided to conduct business in a more environmentally friendly manner."

Conduct an experiment

To perform a scientific test.

"The scientists conducted an experiment to test the new drug's effectiveness."

Conduct oneself

To behave or act in a certain way.

"She conducted herself with grace and dignity at the event."

From the Latin word 'conducere,' meaning 'to lead together' or 'to bring together.' It evolved through Old French into its modern English forms.

The word 'conduct' has been used since the 15th century with similar meanings related to leading or guiding.

Memory tip

Think of a conductor leading an orchestra - they are directing the performance.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to lead together, bring together"

conduct an experimentconduct a surveyconduct electricityconduct a meetingconduct business

Common misspellings

conducing

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written