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 team used an electron beam to etch patterns in that layer. —ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025

By the 1920s, AC’s scalability and standardized grids had prevailed, stripping electrons of their branding—utilities now competed on price, not panache. —Christian Catalini, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

To test microfabrication on tardigrades, the researchers turned to ice lithography, a process that uses an electron beam to carve a pattern into a thin layer of ice coating the living tissue. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Ram's 1500 Rev is a battery-electric truck, fueled only by electrons, that is set to rival Ford's F-150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV out of the gate. —Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 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