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 idea is that electrons will tunnel from the plates to the electrodes but not tunnel in the reverse direction. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026

Making the Positive Sign of the Battery What Sylvatex makes is called cathode active material — the positive electrode of a lithium battery, the place where the electrons that power everything actually come from. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

This battery runs on hydride ions — hydrogen atoms packed with an extra electron. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026

Its lack of interaction with light means it can't be composed of protons, neutrons and electrons — the particles that compose atoms. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 May 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