Dictionary.com

Popular Searches

 Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

electricity

American  
[ih-lek-tris-i-tee, ee-lek-] / ɪ lɛkˈtrɪs ɪ ti, ˌi lɛk- /

noun

  1. electric charge.

  2. electric current.

  3. the science dealing with electric charges and currents.

  4. a state or feeling of excitement, anticipation, tension, etc.

electricity British  
/ ˌiːlɛk-, ɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪtɪ /

noun

  1. any phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons, ions, or other charged particles

  2. the science concerned with electricity

  3. an electric current or charge

    a motor powered by electricity

  4. emotional tension or excitement, esp between or among people

"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
electricity Scientific  
/ ĭ-lĕk-trĭs′ĭ-tē /

  1. The collection of physical effects related to the force and motion of electrically charged particles, typically electrons, through or across matter and space.

  2. See also circuit conductor electric potential

  3. Electric current, or a source of electric current.

  4. A buildup of electric charge.

  5. See also static electricity

electricity Cultural  

  1. A flow of electrical charges, such as electrons, through a conductor.

Etymology

Origin of electricity

First recorded in 1640–50; electric + -ity

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.

He has held out the possibility that Ukraine could use electricity generated by the plant in the context of international co-operation.

From BBC

Some data-center developers are shopping for electricity beyond regulated utility companies and regional power networks where supplies are increasingly tight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Five miles south of downtown Los Angeles, a single industrial block in Vernon is drawing as much electricity as a small town.

From Los Angeles Times

The added devices give any unexpected electricity on the line more places to disperse into the ground, making them less likely to spark a fire.

From Los Angeles Times

It fixes the maximum amount customers can be charged for each unit of gas and electricity on a standard - or default - variable tariff for a typical dual-fuel household which pays by direct debit.

From BBC

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.