What type of electrical device can typically hold a charge for later use?

A capacitor is an electrical device designed specifically to store electrical charge temporarily. It consists of two conductive plates separated by an insulating material known as a dielectric. When a voltage is applied across the plates, an electric field is created, allowing the capacitor to store energy in the form of an electric charge. This stored energy can be released when needed, making capacitors essential in various applications such as smoothing out electrical signals, filtering out noise, and providing power to circuits briefly.

In contrast, a resistor is not designed to store electrical energy; it primarily functions by resisting the flow of electric current, converting electrical energy into heat. Voltage regulators maintain a constant voltage level but do not store charge, while transistors are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electronic signals rather than store charge. Therefore, among the options given, the capacitor is distinctly characterized by its ability to hold a charge for later use.