electronics

American  

[ih-lek-tron-iks, ee-lek-] / ɪ lɛkˈtrɒn ɪks, ˌi lɛk- /

noun

1. (used with a singular verb) the science dealing with the development and application of devices and systems involving the flow of electrons in a vacuum, in gaseous media, and in semiconductors.

2. (used with a plural verb) electronic devices, circuits, or systems developed through electronics.

   Can you get through the day without using your phone or other electronics?

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electronics British  

/ ˌiːlɛk-, ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the science and technology concerned with the development, behaviour, and applications of electronic devices and circuits

2. (functioning as plural) the circuits and devices of a piece of electronic equipment

   the electronics of a television set

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Etymology

Origin of electronics

First recorded in 1905–10; electronic, -ics

Example Sentences

No less than half of the silver is used in industry, mainly for electronics, solar panels, and medical applications.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Home centers, big-box electronics stores, pharmacies, apparel outlets and department stores fared especially well.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

It also opens new doors in nanophotonics, a field focused on controlling light at very small scales for uses in electronics, encryption, and biology.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Additionally, the moon is home to water ice, which can be used for rocket propulsion, as well as rare earth minerals such as lithium, platinum and other materials critical to electronics and clean energy technology.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

For years, every hacker and electronics whiz had dreamt of the day when a computer would come along that was small and inexpensive enough for an ordinary person to use and own.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell