electrocution

American

[ih-lek-truh-kyoo-shuhn] / ɪˌlɛk trəˈkyu ʃən /

noun

death or injury from electricity passing through the body.

The electrical cord used to light the showers was exposed to standing water, posing risk of electrocution.
One current source of danger for golden eagles is electrocution on power poles that are not constructed to bird-friendly standards.

Etymology

Origin of electrocution

An Americanism first recorded in 1885–90; electro- ( def. ) + (exe)cution ( def. )

Vocabulary lists containing electrocution

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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.

At four years old, she was killed by electrocution, an all too common cause of death for large birds of prey.

From Science Daily • Dec. 11, 2025

Cases include electrocution, drowning, overdose, scurvy, sickle cell anemia, a nail in the chest, a fastball in the eye and gallstones, with all the personal drama one expects from a hospital show.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2025

As usual, she was sharp, disciplined, and able to speak about policy issues instead of ranting about Hannibal Lecter or electrocution sharks.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2024

Mr Knight told Radio Wiltshire the early part of Jason's treatment had been especially difficult as the electrocution had continued to "kill the body" even after the initial shock.

From BBC • May 31, 2024

The first execution by electrocution had actually taken place eleven months earlier, at Auburn.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023