electric guitar

American  

noun

1. a guitar equipped with electric or magnetic pickups that permit its sound to be amplified and fed to a loudspeaker.

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electric guitar British  

noun

1. an electronically amplified guitar, used mainly in pop music Compare acoustic guitar

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Etymology

Origin of electric guitar

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Every song that you know of Van Halen, I heard from an unplugged-in electric guitar from four inches away, going, “Too long.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2026

Thudding drums, an electric guitar that chugs like a tank’s engine turning over and blaring trumpet fanfare announce the onset of football on CBS, Fox and NBC.

From Salon • Mar. 18, 2026

We hear a Fender Rhodes piano, strummed electric guitar and a spare trumpet, conjuring images of a late night in a smoky club.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Mr. Isbell’s electric guitar from when he was a member of the Truckers is on display.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

The last time he had played the electric guitar in front of anyone was in front of his father, before his father decided not to hand him the snake.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner