electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtri-sə-tē 

ē-,

-ˈtri-stē

plural electricities

1

a

: a fundamental form of energy observable in positive and negative forms that occurs naturally (as in lightning) or is produced (as in a generator) and that is expressed in terms of the movement and interaction of electrons

b

: electric current or power

2

: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity

3

: keen contagious excitement

could feel the electricity in the room

Examples of electricity in a Sentence

The electricity went off during the storm.

an old building with no plumbing or electricity

You could feel the electricity in the room.

Recent Examples on the Web

As the end of a third year of all-out war approaches, and facing a difficult winter without heat and electricity, Ukraine is in dire need of F-16 fighter jets and anti-aircraft missiles to protect its cities and civilians. —Katya Soldak, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

In Zimbabwe, mbira music can be played in secular settings; indeed, the Zimbabwean musician Thomas Mapfumo’s signal achievement was to transform mbira ballads, running electricity through the folk tunes, to suit a Western-style band format. —Percy Zvomuya, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2024

Both coal and oil imports have risen rapidly as the population takes a liking to round-the-clock electricity and car ownership. —Ganesh Rao, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024

Inside is a fuel cell that converts green hydrogen into electricity. —Alison Van Houten, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing electricity

• static electricity

Kids Definition

electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē 

-ˈtris-tē

1

: a form of energy that is found in nature but that can be artificially produced by rubbing together two unlike things (as glass and silk), by the action of chemicals, or by means of a generator

2

: electric current

3

: great excitement

felt the electricity in the theater

Medical Definition

electricity

noun

elec·​tric·​i·​ty i-ˌlek-ˈtris-ət-ē, -ˈtris-tē 

plural electricities

1

a

: a fundamental entity of nature consisting of negative and positive kinds, observable in the attractions and repulsions of bodies electrified by friction and in natural phenomena (as lightning or the aurora borealis), and usually utilized in the form of electric currents

b

: electric current or power

2

: a science that deals with the phenomena and laws of electricity