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.

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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

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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

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electricity Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of electricity

First recorded in 1640–50; electric + -ity

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.

Example Sentences

Saudi Arabia, despite being a major oil producer, has doubled its target to ensure 50% of its electricity generation will come from renewables by 2030.

From Salon • May 16, 2026

By contrast, electricity prices, which soared during the 2022 crisis, are not significantly higher, as the initial natural-gas price spike has eased and alternative sources of power have picked up some of the slack.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

Electric vehicles have a lower cost of ownership, both because of maintenance and because electricity in most markets is cheaper than the fuel equivalent.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

There are no shops, residents are sometimes left with no electricity on hot days, there is little public transport, limited internet, and roads are often bad with poor street lighting.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

I read in the newspaper that Mr. Thomas Edison of New Jersey has invented a lamp that runs on electricity instead of oil.

From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman

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