static electricity

noun

Electricity.

1. a stationary electric charge built up on an insulating material.

static electricity

1. Electric charge that has accumulated on an object. Static electricity is often created when two objects that are not good electrical conductors are rubbed together, and electrons from one of the objects rub off onto the other. This happens, for example, when combing one's hair or taking off a sweater. Sudden releases of built-up static electricity can take the form of an electric arc.

2. See Note at electric charge

static electricity

1. An electrical charge that accumulates on an object when it is rubbed against another object — for example, the spark that jumps from someone's hand to a doorknob after the person has walked across a rug.

Word History and Origins

Origin of static electricity¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Factories often wet the floors to reduce static electricity and use wooden tools instead of metal to eliminate the chance of a spark.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While for humans it's a brief jolt of annoyance, scientists are discovering that static electricity plays a major role in the survival and behavior of many small organisms.

Read more on Science Daily

I had a mortgage calculator on my phone, and I’d rattle off what a monthly payment might be on whatever house we were scheduled to see, the anticipation like static electricity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

One type of noncontact sensor relies on static electricity to detect closeness and small motions, and has the potential to enhance smart devices, such as allowing phone screens to recognize more finger gestures.

Read more on Science Daily

Many creatures can accumulate static electricity through friction as they move through their environment, even by flying through the air.

Read more on Science Magazine