electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kilogram or about 1/1836 that of a proton

Examples of electron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With greater transistor density, electrons have a lot less distance to travel between transistors that switch on and off to process data. — Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 26 June 2026

The researchers were, however, able to identify features such as bond critical points by analyzing the electron density using HAR. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026

These are supply deals, not green gestures, from companies that concluded electrons are the real constraint and chose to buy them directly. — Robert J. Szczerba, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

These devices use quantum systems, such as atoms or electron spins, as highly sensitive probes. — Alex Krasnok, Scientific American, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

electr- + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing electron

• Auger electron
• Auger electron spectroscopy
• electron cloud
• electron gas
• electron gun
• electron micrograph
• electron microscope
• electron multiplier
• electron optics
• electron probe
• electron transport
• electron tube
• electron volt
• free-electron laser
• scanning electron microscope
• valence electron

Rhymes for electron

• photoelectron

Kids Definition

electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle that has a negative charge of electricity and travels around the nucleus of an atom

Medical Definition

electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109534 × 10⁻²⁸ gram or about ¹/₁₈₃₆ that of a proton