electron gun

noun

: an electron-emitting cathode and its surrounding assembly (such as electromagnets in a cathode-ray tube) for directing, controlling, and focusing a beam of electrons

Examples of electron gun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Cylindrical structure contains electron gun Traveling wave tube is a cylindrical structure which contains an electron gun to form a cathode. Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2025 The charging effect on the surface of the samples was compensated by an electron gun during analysis. Keith Cooper, Space.com, 16 July 2025 The researchers expect that the whole kit, including the electron gun, can be encapsulated on a chip. Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 22 July 2019 Varying the output of the electron gun, however, can create a lopsided force deliberately, permitting the craft to be steered. The Economist, 21 Sep. 2017 One line of research that the researchers are working on is the development of an electron gun. IEEE Spectrum, 31 Mar. 2017 When the set is shut down, the electromagnets deactivate and the remnant beam from the electron gun defaults momentarily to the center of the screen before dying out—but not always in the same spot, as Crippens discovered. Rebecca Horne, Discover Magazine, 2 June 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electron gun was in 1924

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Cite this Entry

“Electron gun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron%20gun. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

electron gun

noun
: the part of a cathode-ray tube that produces, accelerates, and focuses a stream of electrons

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