electric shock
Americannoun
noun
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.
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
There’s also the risk of dangerous electric shock because the vehicles rely on much more electric power than the body can withstand.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2025
Depending on the severity of the crash, an electric vehicle’s high-voltage, lithium ion battery could be at risk of being damaged, catching fire or delivering an electric shock to anyone who touches it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2025
As though responding to an electric shock, Selena’s brother pulled back his uninjured hand.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
