electric

adjective

elec·tric | \ i-ˈlek-trik

, ē-\

Definition of electric

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 or electrical \ 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

3a : electronic sense 3a

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

4 : very bright electric blue electric orange

electric

noun

Definition of electric (Entry 2 of 2)

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

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

Other Words from electric Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about electric

Keep scrolling for more

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.

Examples of electric in a Sentence

Adjective

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 on the Web: Adjective

Instead, factory job creation has flowed to frontiers of the advanced manufacturing economy — like Nevada, home to a Tesla factory that churns out batteries for electric cars, homes and utilities — and oil-patch epicenters like Tulsa, Okla. — New York Times, "In the Race for Factory Jobs Under Trump, the Midwest Isn’t Winning," 14 June 2019 Tesla wants everyone on the road to be in an electric car. — Washington Post, "Tesla wants everyone to drive an electric car. Now it risks becoming a niche brand.," 14 June 2019 Some highlights: Ravella at Eastpoint, a newer community in Baytown, offers electric car charging, pool tables, a latte and tea bar and outdoor kitchens. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Photo tour: Houston's award winning apartments," 13 June 2019 Sign up to become a member and read more in-depth coverage of China’s electric-car boom in our field guide. — Echo Huang, Quartz, "Huawei AI could power self-driving cars in Europe and China by 2021," 13 June 2019 In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites and salt on medium speed until foamy. — Sally Pasley Vargas, BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: For a glorious summer dessert, make individual Pavlovas topped with berries and cream," 10 June 2019 Mash, using a potato masher (not an electric mixer.) Stir in the sauteed onions, cream cheese and salt and mash to incorporate the ingredients. — Roxanne Wyss, kansascity, "For Olathe cook, these pierogies are a holiday treat. But you can make them any time," 4 June 2019 Using electric mixer, in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar on medium-low until combined, about 2 minutes. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Easy Vanilla Sugar Cookies That'll Bring Spring Cheer to Your Holiday Table," 27 Mar. 2019 Beat butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 3 minutes. — Kate Merker, Country Living, "Chamomile-Mascarpone Tart With Fresh Strawberries," 19 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Diesel Pulled a Fast One Even mild rail enthusiasts know that steam engines were being supplanted by diesel-electrics as early as the 1940s. — Tom Bentley, Popular Mechanics, "Why the Big Boy 4014 is Such a Badass Train," 13 June 2019 Going electric is an expensive business, and automakers are having to collaborate in order to keep costs down. — Alan Murray, Fortune, "Why We Need to Retrain the C-Suite: CEO Daily," 5 June 2019 But $1,200 for a light-laden electric table will probably turn off all but the most deep-pocketed RGB enthusiasts, especially since Thermaltake’s page doesn’t mention free shipping for this beast. — Brad Chacos, PCWorld, "Thermaltake reveals a monstrous, RGB-laden $1,200 motorized desk for gamers," 10 May 2019 Volvo's intention is for all future models, short of plug-in hybrids and full electrics, to feature this form of hybridization. — Jens Meiners, Car and Driver, "Volvo to Start Using Electrically Driven Superchargers," 17 May 2019 Advertising Beijing has promoted electrics with billions of dollars in research grants and buyer subsidies. — Joe Mcdonald, The Seattle Times, "China’s auto sales sink in March for 9th month," 12 Apr. 2019 This brilliant little device from Hammacher Schlemmer attaches to a standard household electric drill, and just like any other drill bit, its job is to bore a hole. — Michele Petry, House Beautiful, "This Simple Tool Makes Planting a Garden So Much Easier," 3 May 2019 The hybrid electric could carry five passengers 500 miles at speeds of up to 250 mph. — Dan Neil, WSJ, "The First Flying-Car Review," 12 Sep. 2018 The company is launching the $70,000 I-Pace electric SUV later this year. — Gary Gastelu, Fox News, "Harry and Meghan's blue Jaguar is a $500,000 green machine," 19 May 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.