electric field

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a vector quantity from which is determined the magnitude and direction of the force electric force on a charged particle due to the presence of other charged particles, accelerated charged particles, or time-varying currents. E

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electric field British  

noun

1. a field of force surrounding a charged particle within which another charged particle experiences a force Compare magnetic field

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electric field Scientific  

1. The distribution in space of the strength and direction of forces that would be exerted on an electric charge at any point in that space. Electric fields themselves result directly from other electric charges or from changing magnetic fields. The strength of an electric field at a given point in space near an electrically charged object is proportional to the amount of charge on the object, and inversely proportional to the distance between the point and the object.

2. See also electromagnetism electrostatic force

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Etymology

Origin of electric field

First recorded in 1895–1900

Compare meaning

How does electric-field compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• electric field vs. electric potential

Example Sentences

"The light wave twists around its axis, and its phase changes in a spiral manner. Moreover, even the polarization -- the direction of oscillation of the electric field -- begins to rotate."

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2026

Rocket-induced lightning from an enhanced atmospheric electric field is also a major risk.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

When exposed to vibration, the powder produces a small electric field -- a phenomenon known as the piezoelectric effect -- which drives chemical reactions that generate ROS.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

Their work shows that the effect arises from how electrons scatter at interfaces, with this scattering controlled by both the magnetization and the electric field at the interface.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

According to Edlefsen’s rudimentary ion detectors, something was going on inside the flask, but whether it was protons accelerating in resonance with an oscillating electric field was by no means clear.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik