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

At the chemical level, energy metabolism begins when the three macronutrients – carbohydrates, fats and protein – are broken down atom by atom to release electrons from chemical bonds. —Travis Nemkov, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Conventional memristors, like regular computers, operate by shifting electrons around. —IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2024

Introduction To implement a quantum algorithm, the researchers first encode quantum information in a pair of atomic energy levels, using lasers to switch electrons between the levels. —Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024

For one charge of the battery, that equates to 2.08 x 1019 electrons. —Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Feb. 2024

The charging and discharging of these batteries relies on lithium ions moving from the battery’s electrodes to its electrolyte and back again, in the process releasing or absorbing electrons that produce the current flow. —Phillip W. Barth, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Mar. 2024

When hit by photons, the dots emit electrons that flow across the graphene sheet to produce a current. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

Rising usage isn’t just an indicator of EV uptake — Stable Auto estimates that a charging station must be pumping electrons around 15% of the time to turn a profit. —Kyle Stock, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024

With each electron that passes to one electrode, a lithium ion also passes into the same electrode. —Wesley Chang, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2024

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

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