electronics

American  

[ih-lek-tron-iks, ee-lek-] / ɪ lɛkˈtrɒn ɪks, ˌi lɛk- /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the science dealing with the development and application of devices and systems involving the flow of electrons in a vacuum, in gaseous media, and in semiconductors.

2. (used with a plural verb) electronic devices, circuits, or systems developed through electronics.

   Can you get through the day without using your phone or other electronics?

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electronics British  

/ ˌiːlɛk-, ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the science and technology concerned with the development, behaviour, and applications of electronic devices and circuits

2. (functioning as plural) the circuits and devices of a piece of electronic equipment

   the electronics of a television set

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Etymology

Origin of electronics

First recorded in 1905–10; see origin at electronic, -ics

Explanation

Devices that use electricity and electrical components to perform a task — like stereos, TVs, computers, and calculators — are electronics. Unless you live off the grid in a remote place, winding the watch on your wrist and cooking freshly caught fish on your campfire, your life is full of electronics. Kitchen appliances, computers, and televisions are all electronics. You can also use this word for the science of designing circuits using electrical components, or the study of the way electrons behave under various circumstances.

Example Sentences

Smartphones, electric vehicles, and countless portable electronics all depend on batteries.

From Science Daily • Jul. 10, 2026

To Ma, who had worked at an electronics company and invested in real estate, it sounded like a guaranteed way to make his cash grow.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2026

But as chipmakers plough resources into lucrative HBM, shortages of the less flashy memory chips in everyday consumer electronics are pushing up prices, with Apple hiking the cost of its MacBooks and iPads.

From Barron's • Jul. 9, 2026

Leading sectors included electronics other than semiconductors, automobiles and textiles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 7, 2026

The electric-light-studded outfits from District 3, where they make electronics, at least make sense.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins