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

The critical aid for Cuba comes as the nation has taken a severe economic hit since the US effectively blocked its oil supply earlier this year, depriving its aging electricity network of its main source of fuel. —Uriel Blanco, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026

However, Xcel said in its March 2 report on Comanche that options to cover electricity needs over the next few years include keeping Comanche 2 operating beyond the current retirement date at the end of 2026 and keeping two coal units at Hayden Station in Routt County running until 2030. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026

The real issue, the thing actually driving electricity costs upward, is that our electrical grid is structurally limited. —Brian Barlow, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026

The stakes extend well beyond gaming, in part because AI’s appetite for electricity has been rapidly growing. —Deni Ellis Béchard, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 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