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

The molecules do not merely sit there holding electrons like ions in a conventional battery electrode. — New Atlas, 3 July 2026

The static electricity forms in the dryer as loose electrons give clothing atoms a negative charge. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 2 July 2026

Georgia leads the nation in data center development, and the surge in construction of such power-hungry computing campuses has put pressure on utilities to supply enough electrons to power them. — Drew Kann, AJC.com, 1 July 2026

The strategy process evaluated a wide range of proposals, including linear electron-positron colliders, muon colliders, electron-proton facilities, and reuse of the existing LHC tunnel. — Florencia Canelli, Scientific American, 1 July 2026

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

Rhymes for electron

• photoelectron

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