electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109 × 10⁻³¹ kilogram or about ¹/₁₈₃₆ that of a proton

Examples of electron in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The engineers mated it to a planetary CVT with a pair of motor/generator units (the electric traction motor delivers 118 hp on electrons). —Michael Harley, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

In order to study, say, a particular collection of electrons, researchers have to be clever about it. —Lakshmi Chandrasekaran, Quanta Magazine, 16 Oct. 2024

Afterward the electrons were bound up in atoms, and light could flow freely. —Marc Kamionkowski, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Last year’s Nobel Prize in Physics went to three researchers studying the behavior of fast-moving electrons. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

electr- + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing electron

• Auger electron
• Auger electron spectroscopy
• electron cloud
• electron gas
• electron gun
• electron micrograph
• electron microscope
• electron multiplier
• electron optics
• electron probe
• electron transport
• electron tube
• electron volt
• free-electron laser
• scanning electron microscope
• valence electron

Kids Definition

electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle that has a negative charge of electricity and travels around the nucleus of an atom

Medical Definition

electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn 

: an elementary particle consisting of a charge of negative electricity equal to about 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ coulomb and having a mass when at rest of about 9.109534 × 10⁻²⁸ gram or about ¹/₁₈₃₆ that of a proton