electrocution

American  

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

noun

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of electrocution

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electrocution

So you had legislators in Texas that talked about that ruling and said, “We can’t have an electrocution in someone’s living room.”

From Slate ● Oct. 6, 2026

Capanna said a universal travel adaptor that lets multiple pins extend at once is "the most immediate sign it is dangerous", posing real risks of electric shock or electrocution.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

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

According to a 2014 analysis of bird deaths across the U.S., electrocution on power lines is a significant cause of bird mortality.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 26, 2025

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

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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