static electricity

American  

noun

Electricity.

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

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static electricity Scientific  

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

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static electricity Cultural  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of static electricity

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.

From The Wall Street Journal

A minuscule parasitic worm capable of springing into the air up to 25 times its own body length can latch onto flying insects with the help of static electricity, according to new research.

From 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.

From 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.

From Science Daily

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

From Science Magazine