electric eel

noun

: a large eel-shaped fish (Electrophorus electricus) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with its electric organs

Examples of electric eel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Further Reading Scientists surprised to find that electric eels sometimes hunt in packs Vanderbilt University biologist and neuroscientist Kenneth Catania is one of the most prominent scientists studying electric eels these days. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024

One species, Volta's electric eel (Electrophorus voltai), can produce a discharge of up to 860 volts. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024

In this brutally violent revenge thriller, deaths are inflicted by fire, industrial shredder, pressure chamber, and electric eel. —Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 29 May 2024

In theory, this means that electric eels could be contributing to the genetic modification of other species in the wild. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

electric eel

noun

: a large South American eel-shaped fish able to give a severe electric shock

Medical Definition

electric eel

noun

: a large eel-shaped bony fish (Electrophorus electricus of the family Electrophoridae) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with electricity generated by a special tract of tissue