electric current

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. the time rate of flow of electric charge, in the direction that a positive moving charge would take and having magnitude equal to the quantity of charge per unit time: measured in amperes.

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electric current British  

noun

1. another name for current

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current, electric ¹ Cultural  

1. The flow of electrical charge, usually electrons. (See Benjamin Franklin.)

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current, electric ² Cultural  

1. The flow of large numbers of electrons through a conductor. (See alternating current, conduction, and direct current.)

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Etymology

Origin of electric current

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

The team then monitored these ticks using two different techniques; one measured extremely small electric currents, while the other used radio waves to detect subtle changes in the system.

From Science Daily

Although these particles are far too small to see, the electric current they produce flows through wires in a way that resembles water moving through a pipe.

From Science Daily

Once electric current enters one, it can travel through without resistance or energy loss.

From Science Daily

Researchers at Penn State have developed a new way to identify materials known as superconductors -- substances that can carry electric current with zero resistance, meaning no energy is wasted during transmission.

From Science Daily

For decades, researchers have tried to create semiconductor materials that can also act as superconductors -- materials capable of carrying electric current without resistance.

From Science Daily