electric field

American

noun

Electricity.

a vector quantity from which is determined the magnitude and direction of the force electric force on a charged particle due to the presence of other charged particles, accelerated charged particles, or time-varying currents. E

electric field British

noun

a field of force surrounding a charged particle within which another charged particle experiences a force Compare magnetic field

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

electric field Scientific

The distribution in space of the strength and direction of forces that would be exerted on an electric charge at any point in that space. Electric fields themselves result directly from other electric charges or from changing magnetic fields. The strength of an electric field at a given point in space near an electrically charged object is proportional to the amount of charge on the object, and inversely proportional to the distance between the point and the object.
See also electromagnetism electrostatic force

Etymology

Origin of electric field

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does electric-field compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

electric field vs. electric potential

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

electric field

Light also has a property known as polarization, which describes how its electric field oscillates.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

The system uses a metal ring that functions as a capacitor, a component that stores electrical energy in an electric field.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026

In the new study, the electric field reduced obstacles that normally interfere with phonon movement.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

As the laser's electric field rotates, gas molecules align with it and begin spinning.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 4, 2026

According to Edlefsen’s rudimentary ion detectors, something was going on inside the flask, but whether it was protons accelerating in resonance with an oscillating electric field was by no means clear.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023