electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
ē-
-ˈtri-stē
plural electricities
1
a
: a fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons
b
: electric current or power
2
: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity
3
: keen contagious excitement
could feel the electricity in the room

Examples of electricity in a Sentence

The electricity went off during the storm. an old building with no plumbing or electricity You could feel the electricity in the room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers have become successful in generating electricity from compression using a flexible nylon-film device. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb. 2026 The station stays on air for three to four hours a day, depending on electricity, as presenters warn residents about unexploded ordnance hidden in the streets, but also talk about daily life, Ramadan and the price of food. Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026 William Stanley Mazeroski was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, during the Great Depression, grew up in eastern Ohio, and lived for a time in a one-room house without electricity or indoor plumbing. ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 Some bases, particularly in places like Alaska, suffer from long, expensive, and complex fuel and electricity supply chains. David Szondy february 21, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for electricity

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of electricity was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electricity. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

electricity

noun
elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
-ˈtris-tē
1
: a form of energy that is found in nature but that can be artificially produced by rubbing together two unlike things (as glass and silk), by the action of chemicals, or by means of a generator
2
: electric current
3
: great excitement
felt the electricity in the theater

Medical Definition

electricity

noun
elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē, -ˈtris-tē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
plural electricities
1
a
: a fundamental entity of nature consisting of negative and positive kinds, observable in the attractions and repulsions of bodies electrified by friction and in natural phenomena (as lightning or the aurora borealis), and usually utilized in the form of electric currents
b
: electric current or power
2
: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity

More from Merriam-Webster on electricity

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