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

In practical terms, this can intensify the electric field inside the material and slow light down, squeezing electromagnetic energy into a very small volume and boosting light-matter interactions.

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

Computer models have long suggested that when an electric field is applied to relaxor ferroelectrics, interactions between positively and negatively charged atoms within tiny regions help create their strong energy storage and sensing abilities.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

At these tiny, hair-like structures, the electric field becomes intense enough to produce a faint glow that can be seen in both visible light and UV.

From Science Daily • Apr. 21, 2026

When an electric field is applied, it changes the orientation of each atom's quantization axis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 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