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

This layer of electrons—called a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG)—is highly concentrated and moves with little resistance. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Aug. 2025

The color of the aurora depends on which gas is being excited by the electrons and on how much energy is being exchanged, NASA said. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025

These figures move through a six-speed automatic gearbox, and a tiny 1.2 kWh battery supplies the necessary electrons. —Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2025

Instead, Born showed that the wave in the Schrödinger equation represents not the electron’s present reality but rather its potential realities: possible positions of the electron. —Quanta Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025

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