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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The over-all electricity of the restaurant—its confidence, its clarity, its idiosyncrasy—feels true to the early years of Momofuku, and makes Kabawa a tropical bulwark against New York’s recent retreat into the anesthetizing comforts of French food and steak houses. Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 4 May 2025 Among the topics raised then was the need for more electricity—both renewable and non-renewable—to power data centers that will facilitate the computing needs for AI development and applications. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025 There’s an undercurrent of electricity between her and the ruthless cartel leader (Salma Hayek) using her as a bargaining chip, but Stone is too cowardly to let the hotties smooch, squandering the only energy Lively was able to muster for this potent strain of mess. Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 2 May 2025 In a week in which Spain had suffered a massive power cut which left the entire population without electricity or phone signal for most of Monday, Athletic had suffered their own systems failure at the most pressurised moment possible. Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for electricity

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of electricity was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Electricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electricity. Accessed 11 May. 2025.

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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