electron tube

noun

: an electronic device in which conduction by electrons takes place through a vacuum or a gaseous medium within a sealed glass or metal container and which has various uses based on the controlled flow of electrons

Examples of electron tube in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The key breakthrough to all this progress was the advent of the electron tube, perfected by a string of brilliant engineers, which enabled the invention of new circuits of all descriptions: radar, the computer, the television, and on and on. —IEEE Spectrum, 3 Jan. 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

electron tube

noun

: a device in which conduction of electricity by electrons takes place through a vacuum or a gas within a sealed glass or metal container and which has various common uses (as in radio and television)