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electric shock

American  

noun

  • electric shocks
    plural
  1. shock.


electric shock British  

noun

  1. Sometimes shortened to: shock. the physiological reaction, characterized by pain and muscular spasm, to the passage of an electric current through the body. It can affect the respiratory system and heart rhythm

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of electric shock

First recorded in 1940–45

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:

"It can give my heart an electric shock to get it working properly again," she explains.

From BBC ● May 31, 2026

As a result of our investigation, the BBC understands the government will now investigate the historical use of electric shock therapy in the NHS.

From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2025

It was "an electric shock, a wake-up call about what changing our diets can mean for intensive animal farming and for deforestation", said the 63-year-old retiree, who lives in Ermenonville, an hour from Paris.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2025

The Meter Operation Code of Practice Agreement says the plastic casing can "in some circumstances become conductive leading to a risk of electric shock and/or excessive heat".

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2025

Mark slipped out the window several inches—a thunderbolt of pure terror flashed through him like an electric shock before his progress stopped again.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

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