electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
ē-,
-ˈtri-stē
plural electricities
1
a
: a fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons
b
: electric current or power
2
: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity
3
: keen contagious excitement
could feel the electricity in the room

Examples of electricity in a Sentence

The electricity went off during the storm. an old building with no plumbing or electricity You could feel the electricity in the room.
Recent Examples on the Web The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy evaluated each 2024 model based on its cost to human health from air pollution associated with vehicle manufacturing and disposal, the production and distribution of fuel or electricity, and vehicle tailpipe emissions. Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Californians are burdened with some of the highest water rates in the country, and families at times must make difficult decisions about whether to pay the water bill, electricity or rent. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2024 The patch, written about in a paper published in Nature Communications on Tuesday, is made out of a material that converts motion into electricity. Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 The industrial sprawl is eerily quiet compared with the hum of producing electricity for decades. Troy Aidan Sambajon, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Mar. 2024 But the cost of buying diesel fuel is prohibitively high for many farmers, and most rural areas are not connected to electricity grids. Fred Pearce, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 His neighborhood, a relative safe haven, has not had electricity in three months. Andre Paultre, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2024 First, the net was a safety hazard; no protective barrier shielded the electricity. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Refrain from entering water that may have electricity in it and avoid walking through floodwaters. Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electricity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of electricity was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near electricity

Cite this Entry

“Electricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electricity. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

electricity

noun
elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
-ˈtris-tē
1
: a form of energy that is found in nature but that can be artificially produced by rubbing together two unlike things (as glass and silk), by the action of chemicals, or by means of a generator
2
: electric current
3
: great excitement
felt the electricity in the theater

Medical Definition

electricity

noun
elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē, -ˈtris-tē How to pronounce electricity (audio)
plural electricities
1
a
: a fundamental entity of nature consisting of negative and positive kinds, observable in the attractions and repulsions of bodies electrified by friction and in natural phenomena (as lightning or the aurora borealis), and usually utilized in the form of electric currents
b
: electric current or power
2
: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity

More from Merriam-Webster on electricity

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