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.
Their fans have provided the electricity of this tournament, travelling in huge numbers, turning Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami and Dallas into oceans of blue and white. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026 In addition, the Global Connectivity Index ranks the country’s digital infrastructure as the second-best in Africa and over 46 percent of Moroccan electricity comes from renewables. Panorama Media Ltd, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026 The men lived and worked in tents the entire time with generators to produce electricity. Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026 Sunday, 10,357 customers statewide were without electricity, with Anne Arundel County accounting for more than 85% of the outages. Christopher Scarglato, Baltimore Sun, 19 July 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 26 Jul. 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

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster