Definition of electrocute
electrocuted
;electrocuting
transitive verb
1 : to execute (a criminal) by electricity
2 : to kill by electric shock
People Are Reading
Recent Examples of electrocute from the Web
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An autopsy Tuesday determined Christopher Melton, 52, was electrocuted by the rail, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
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Charlotte-Mecklenburg police kept working the case, particularly after a medical examiner said there were no signs that the 31-year-old Claiborne had drowned or been electrocuted.
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Subsequent reports have suggested he was electrocuted or strangled.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'electrocute'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of electrocute
electr- + -cute (as in execute)
First Known Use: 1889
ELECTROCUTE Defined for English Language Learners
electrocute
playDefinition of electrocute for English Language Learners
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: to kill (a person or animal) by electric shock
ELECTROCUTE Defined for Kids
electrocute
playDefinition of electrocute for Students
electrocuted
;electrocuting
: to kill by an electric shock
electrocution
\-ˌlek-trə-ˈkyü-shən\ nounMedical Dictionary
electrocute
playMedical Definition of electrocute
electrocuted
;electrocuting
1: to execute (a criminal) by electricity
2: to kill by a shock of electricity
Law Dictionary
electrocute
Legal Definition of electrocute
electrocuted
electrocuting
: to execute (a convicted criminal) by electricity
electrocution
nounOrigin and Etymology of electrocute
electro-, combining form meaning “electric” + execute
Learn More about electrocute
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See words that rhyme with electrocute Spanish Central: Translation of electrocute Nglish: Translation of electrocute for Spanish speakers
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