electricity
Americannoun
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the science dealing with electric charges and currents.
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a state or feeling of excitement, anticipation, tension, etc.
noun
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any phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons, ions, or other charged particles
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the science concerned with electricity
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an electric current or charge
a motor powered by electricity
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emotional tension or excitement, esp between or among people
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The collection of physical effects related to the force and motion of electrically charged particles, typically electrons, through or across matter and space.
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See also circuit conductor electric potential
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Electric current, or a source of electric current.
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A buildup of electric charge.
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See also static electricity
Etymology
Origin of electricity
Explanation
Electricity is the energy that powers your lights and appliances. Electricity is the stuff that Benjamin Franklin harnessed from lightning using a key and a kite. Don't try that on your own. The word electricity comes from the Greek electron, which doesn’t mean what you might expect. It means "amber," that yellow or reddish brown stone used for jewelry. The ancients noticed that when you rub amber, it gets an electrostatic charge and will pick up light things like feathers and straw. You can also describe other kinds of energy as electricity — when you're really crazy about someone, you can say there's electricity between the two of you.
Vocabulary lists containing electricity
Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer - Introductory
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Engineering - Introductory
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Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer - Middle School
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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.
Data centres require large amounts of electricity, placing increased pressure on grids often still reliant on fossil fuels.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2026
"There's no light, no water, no heat, no electricity. And no fun. All the fun got sucked out with the electricity," he says.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026
"It's absolutely crazy… with the food, with the electricity, with the water, with gas."
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026
Plus, SoftBank is getting bit by its bet on electricity for AI, and the shrinking U.S. cattle herd is set to keep beef prices high.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 11, 2026
PIH brought in engineering teams to stabilize the capital’s badly damaged general hospital, restoring its water and electricity; when medical supplies were trucked in, twelve operating rooms were quickly up and running.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
