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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.
Synonyms
Examples of electric in a Sentence
Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Nov. 2023
An electric vehicle battery is made up of thousands of individual cells, which store and release energy.
—WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023
Better to invest in new technologies for carbon removal, clean energy, and electric vehicles and to implement policies like carbon taxes that could fund future green technologies.
—Bygabriel Labbate, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2023
Other Republicans saw autoworkers’ frustration with electric vehicles as a chance to win over labor unions and their millions of voters.
—John Tillman, National Review, 16 Nov. 2023
Candela says this is the longest range offered by any electric boat.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 16 Nov. 2023
The 12-suite lodge is set to have electric vehicles and private butler service.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023
The Chargers offense was electric but the defense shockingly bad in a 41-38 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023
And unspecified future electric vehicles will be assembled at a factory in Orion Township, Mich.
—Tom Krisher and Alex Veiga The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2023
Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 9 Nov. 2023
Working out of its San Francisco headquarters, Navier designed a 30-foot, eight-passenger electric foiling yacht (the N30) that progressed from sketch to full-scale, finished boat in 11 months.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2023
The night included cocktails, dinner and electric mingling for artists who rarely get to be in the same room together let alone be honored for their trend-setting work.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Oct. 2023
For the candle lovers, this electric lighter is the perfect gift.
—Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2023
Electric or Manual Before purchasing, keep in mind that there are two types of knife sharpeners — manual and electric.
—Laura Denby, Peoplemag, 10 Oct. 2023
His choice of using the [Sony FX3 camera], allowed the whole group to be a lot more nimble in terms of grip and electric.
—Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2023
The story is brief, bizarre, and electric, and almost seems torn from a different book.
—Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023
On her: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Ralph’s Garage Coverall, $2,995; Ralph Lauren Collection patent pumps, $750
2015 Ferrari LaFerrari
The first foray into hybrid electric from the team at Maranello, the LaFerrari combines a V-12 engine with an electric motor to produce 950 hp.
—Paul Croughton, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electric.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective
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
Phrases Containing electric
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Cite this Entry
“Electric.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
electric
1 of 2 adjective
electric
2 of 2 nounAdjective
from scientific Latin electricus "produced from amber by friction," derived from earlier Latin electrum "amber," derived from Greek ēlektron (same meaning); so called because static electricity was first discovered by the friction produced by rubbing a piece of amber
Medical Definition
electric
adjective
More from Merriam-Webster on electric
Nglish: Translation of electric for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of electric for Arabic Speakers
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