electric field

noun

: a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges

Examples of electric field in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This is a portable device that creates electric fields which can cause cell death in tumors. Alex Knapp, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 Parasites, such as ticks (opens a new tab) and roundworms (opens a new tab), hitch rides on electric fields generated by larger animal hosts. quantamagazine.org, 30 Sep. 2024 Negative and positive charges build up in different areas of the quartz, creating an electric field and changing the electric state of the material. Kate Graham-Shaw, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2024 Part of the mystery comes from the fact that the electric fields seen in thunderclouds are far smaller than what’s required to start a spark, reports Newsweek’s Tom Howarth. Rudy Molinek, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for electric field 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'electric field.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electric field was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near electric field

Cite this Entry

“Electric field.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric%20field. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

electric field

noun
: a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges

Medical Definition

electric field

noun
: a region associated with a distribution of electric charge or a varying magnetic field in which forces due to that charge or field act upon other electric charges

More from Merriam-Webster on electric field

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