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

In this setup, qubits are encoded in the electrons of nitrogen atoms and the nuclear states of carbon atoms within the diamond lattice. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Feb. 2026

That was because gamma-ray photons, individual particles of light, were rapidly transformed into pairs of electrons and positrons. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026

But in the murky intermediate regime, the full quantum complexity of each electron plays a role, and the problem is classically intractable. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Feb. 2026

Constellation Energy, whose stock has more than doubled in the last two years, talked about the bright future for nuclear power as data center developers race to buy the company’s low-carbon electrons. —Justin Worland, Time, 30 Jan. 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