electric chair

American  

noun

1. a chair used to electrocute criminals sentenced to death.

2. the penalty of legal electrocution.

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electric chair British  

noun

1. 1. an electrified chair for executing criminals

   2. execution by this method

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Etymology

Origin of electric chair

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

“As soon as Dara and I walked into his house, the electric chair from ‘Female Trouble’ was right in front of us.

From Los Angeles Times

The state asked the Supreme Court to toss out a lower court ruling after a 2022 trial that the electric chair and the firing squad are cruel and unusual punishments.

From Seattle Times

There are the stories of the many lawyers and activists who fought to save Paula from the electric chair and end capital punishment for children.

From Washington Post

In 1983, Ms. Piel persuaded a judge to issue a stay of their execution 16 hours before the defendants were set to die in the electric chair.

From Washington Post

But by the late 1970s and early 1980s, problems with executions using the electric chair made headlines everywhere.

From Salon