electrocute

[ ih-lek-truh-kyoot ]
See synonyms for: electrocuteelectrocution on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),e·lec·tro·cut·ed, e·lec·tro·cut·ing.
  1. to kill by electricity.

  2. to execute (a criminal) by electricity, as in an electric chair.

Origin of electrocute

1
An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; electro- + (exe)cute

Other words from electrocute

  • e·lec·tro·cu·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use electrocute in a sentence

  • Ahmad claims that four plainclothes officers cuffed him to a chair, jammed open his mouth, and electrocuted his gums.

    Assad’s House of Torture | Anna Therese Day | October 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • Had the power current not been cut off, I think The Brain would somehow have electrocuted me on the spot.

    The Brain | Alexander Blade
  • A verbal confession to save himself from being electrocuted was one thing, to put it in black and white was quite another.

    The Man from the Bitter Roots | Caroline Lockhart
  • "Electrocuted by his own machine rather than face disgrace and disbarment," cut in Craig.

    The Social Gangster | Arthur B. Reeve
  • "Made me feel as if I was bracing up a chap that was going to be electrocuted," he thought, feeling sickish again.

    T. Tembarom | Frances Hodgson Burnett
  • He had little doubt but that Smaltz was dead—electrocuted—roasted.

    The Man from the Bitter Roots | Caroline Lockhart

British Dictionary definitions for electrocute

electrocute

/ (ɪˈlɛktrəˌkjuːt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to kill as a result of an electric shock

  2. US to execute in the electric chair

Origin of electrocute

1
C19: from electro- + (exe)cute

Derived forms of electrocute

  • electrocution, noun

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