electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē 

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

More than one-third of West Virginia households spend over 6% of income on electricity, with some businesses closing due to unaffordable power costs. —Margie Mason, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2026

More than one in three West Virginia households is considered energy burdened, spending more than 6% of their income on electricity and other fuel costs. —CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026

In the early ‘70s, for example, the United States got about 20% of its electricity from oil, Ori said. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026

Stay out of water that may have electricity in it. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing electricity

• static electricity

Rhymes for electricity

• authenticity
• chromaticity
• concentricity
• domesticity
• eccentricity
• elasticity
• iconicity
• metallicity
• multiplicity
• specificity
• synchronicity
• analyticity

Kids Definition

electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē 

-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 

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