electrician

American  

[ih-lek-trish-uhn, ee-lek-] / ɪ lɛkˈtrɪʃ ən, ˌi lɛk- /

noun

1. a person who installs, operates, maintains, or repairs electric devices or electrical wiring.

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electrician British  

/ ˌiːlɛk-, ɪlɛkˈtrɪʃən /

noun

1. a person whose occupation is the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical devices

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Etymology

Origin of electrician

An Americanism dating back to 1745–55; electric + -ian

Explanation

An electrician is a person whose job involves fixing or installing electrical wiring systems. If you keep blowing fuses in your kitchen, you may need to hire an electrician to fix your house's wiring. While electricians also work on airplanes, ships, and various kinds of machines, most electricians do their job in houses and buildings that are wired for electricity to run lights, appliances, computers, and other gadgets. To work as an electrician, you need to be trained and licensed, which is especially important because of how dangerous electricity can be. In the 18th century, electricians were "scientists concerned with electricity," but by the late 1800s they were "electrical technicians."

Example Sentences

Jack Hudson, a 20-year-old electrician, says he wants the UK to be a country where "everyone gets along with each other".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

"We believe there will be some kind of change across the whole country," added the 55-year-old electrician, who used to vote for Orban's Fidesz party.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

In January, he published a profile of a 23-year-old electrician who skipped college to be a part of “Gen Z’s blue-collar revolution.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

He dropped out of college last year and is now in trade school studying to be an electrician.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Having it on your discharge that you had been a mechanic or an electrician or a radio operator could help you get a job.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac