electric

adjective elec·tric \ i-ˈlek-trik , ē- \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of electric

1 or electrical play \i-ˈlek-tri-kəl, ē-\ : of, relating to, or operated by electricity

an electric current

an electric heater

2 : exciting as if by electric shock

an electric performance

an electric personality

; also : charged with strong emotion

the room was electric with tension

3 a : electronic 3a

b : amplifying sound by electronic means —used of a musical instrument

an electric guitar

4 : very bright

electric blue

electric orange

—

electrically

play \i-ˈlek-tri-k(ə-)lē, ē-\ adverb

See electric defined for English-language learners

See electric defined for kids

Examples of electric in a Sentence

The device administers a mild electric shock.
It plugs into any electric socket.
The electrical cord is damaged.
There's a problem with the building's electrical wiring.
The pianist gave an electric performance.
The atmosphere in the room was electric.

Recent Examples of electric from the Web

For example, foreign automakers face pressure to transfer electric-car technology to their local partners, and foreign technology companies are increasingly required to submit to security reviews.

— keith bradsher, New York Times, "U.S. and China Play Chicken on Trade, and Neither Swerves," 6 Apr. 2018
The firm also reported its production figures for the Model 3, its mass-market electric car, which remain well below target.

— The Economist, "Business this week," 5 Apr. 2018
All public buildings in the city are now heated by renewable energy and all work carried out by council workers are done in electric cars.

— staff report, Houston Chronicle, "Missouri City joins H-GAC, others in regional pedestrian and bicycle plan," 4 Apr. 2018
Calo posits the example of an electric car expected to start each day with a full battery.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "Self-driving car deaths raise the question: Is society ready for us to take our hands off the wheel?," 3 Apr. 2018
The standards also help promote zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), such as electric cars.

— laurent belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump's challenge to fuel-efficient car standards: an uphill battle," 3 Apr. 2018
The paper suggested that such vehicles could become a moral status symbol, similar to hybrid and electric cars, eventually shaking any stigma spurred by isolated incidents.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Poll: Majority of Californians fear self-driving cars," 3 Apr. 2018
Tesla investors, more than most, function on belief — a shared vision that electric cars are the future and whoever best makes them will eventually reap big rewards.

— david r. baker, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tesla believers undeterred by string of mishaps," 3 Apr. 2018
The manufacturer of high-end electric cars has been fighting in the Connecticut legislature for four years to sell Teslas in the state.

— stephen singer, courant.com, "Sen. Richard Blumenthal Seeks Stricter Rules For Driverless Cars," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'electric.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

The word electric is derived from the Greek word for amber, elektron. It is only in modern times that practical use has been made of electricity, but some electrical phenomena have been known since antiquity. Certain philosophers of ancient Greece found that by rubbing amber with a piece of cloth, they could enable the amber to pick up light objects, such as feathers. In the 17th century, students of natural science began to discover that other natural phenomena were related to the effect of friction on amber.

Origin and Etymology of electric

New Latin electricus produced from amber by friction, electric, from Medieval Latin, of amber, from Latin electrum amber, electrum, from Greek ēlektron; akin to Greek ēlektōr beaming sun

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1722

See Words from the same year

electric Synonyms

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

electric

noun

Definition of electric

1 archaic : a nonconductor of electricity used to excite or accumulate electricity

2 : something (such as a light, automobile, or train) operated by electricity

Recent Examples of electric from the Web

City leaders say the increases are necessary to cover utility costs, which include water, wastewater, solid waste, electric and natural gas services.

— lily altavena, azcentral, "Mesa City Council to consider increasing utility rates by 3 to 4 percent," 2 Apr. 2018
The kitchen has both an electric and gas stove top, because Judy needed the gas option for canning.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "Hot Property: Inside a $750K Indianapolis home," 30 Mar. 2018
Her husband pays the electric, cable and internet bills, one-third of day care, two-thirds of the assessments, his car note, student loans and his credit cards.

— danielle braff, chicagotribune.com, "What does having joint vs. separate bank accounts say about your relationship?," 28 Mar. 2018
One shows 1929 bathing beauties luxuriating in the sun at the Joyland Beach Pier and Dance Hall, while another depicts the St. Cloud electric and ice company.

— lauren ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Murals, murals everywhere on the Florida Mural Trail," 23 Mar. 2018
That makes this also one of the most efficient electrics, beating Tesla’s other machines.

— jack stewart, WIRED, "Tesla's Model 3 Is the Best Electric Car You Can't Buy—Yet," 22 Mar. 2018
Officials and residents have complained about the slow restoration, with Westchester County Executive George Latimer last week calling for the heads of New York electric and gas companies to resign.

— erik ortiz, NBC News, "Northeast braces for third nor’easter in just 10 days," 12 Mar. 2018
AVs would dramatically reduce the number of road deaths and, being electric, cut harmful emissions in places with clean grids.

— The Economist, "Self-driving cars offer huge benefits—but have a dark side," 1 Mar. 2018
But the 18-year-old would like to return to help keep the electric grid up and running.

— jason ruiter, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Puerto Rican receives training in growing lineworker field, hopes to return to help restore power," 20 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of electric

1646

Other Electrical Engineering Terms

feedback, fuse, incandescent, noise, resonance

ELECTRIC Defined for English Language Learners

electric

adjective

Definition of electric for English Language Learners

: of or relating to electricity
: operated by electricity
: providing electricity

ELECTRIC Defined for Kids

electric

adjective elec·tric \ i-ˈlek-trik \

Definition of electric for Students

1 or electrical\-tri-kəl\ : of or relating to electricity or its use

an electric current

electrical engineering

2 : heated, moved, made, or run by electricity

an electric heater

an electric locomotive

3 : giving off sounds through an electronic amplifier

an electric guitar

4 : having a thrilling effect

The singer gave an electric performance.

—

electrically

adverb

electrically powered cars

History for electric

People in ancient Greece found that if they rubbed a piece of amber it would attract light things like straws and feathers. The rubbing gave the amber an electric charge. We owe the English word electric to this property of amber. Our word came from a Greek word ēlektron that meant “amber.”