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

Coupling these sensitive ions with electrons, the researchers created a sensor that is 100 times smaller than current industry leaders. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Mar. 2026

And because the rest of the electric-car industry now uses Tesla’s charging plug, Musk owns a network of fast and reliable Superchargers that is ready to sell electrons to everyone. —Andrew Moseman, The Atlantic, 4 Mar. 2026

Quantum computers, which are still being scaled up to be practically useful, will excel at capturing electron correlations that classical computers can only approximate. —Chi Chen, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026

Essentially, oxygen pumped into the cells rusts the iron through oxidation, releasing electrons. —Jordan Blum, Fortune, 28 Feb. 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