electric arc

American  

noun

1. arc.

---

electric arc Scientific  

1. An electric current, often strong, brief, and luminous, in which electrons jump across a gap. Electric arcs across specially designed electrodes can produce very high heats and bright light, and are used for such purposes as welding and illumination in spotlights. Unwanted arcs in electrical circuits can cause fires. Lightning is a case of an electric arc between one cloud and the earth or another cloud, as are sparks caused by discharges of static electricity.

---

Etymology

Origin of electric arc

First recorded in 1880–85

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electric arc

“That gives us the ability to produce the highest quality steel that electric arc furnace producers have not been able to produce,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

Chief Executive Rajat Marwah said the company is encouraged by the early performance of its first electric arc furnace, which he said is operating continuously and meeting product quality specifications.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

The loss was driven by the tariff costs and lower shipments of steel, as well as the company’s accelerated transition toward making its steel using electric arc furnaces, Algoma said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

While the old blast furnace structures are still standing, the area where the electric arc furnace will stand is being cleared ahead of construction.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2025

An ordinary flame cannot possess rigidity to a marked degree because the vibration is directionless; but an electric arc, it is believed, must possess that property more or less.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Thomas Commerford Martin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---