static electricity

noun

: electricity that consists of isolated motionless charges (such as those produced by friction)

Examples of static electricity in a Sentence

In dry weather, static electricity can cause clothes to cling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Effectively, this helps to reduce frizz, static electricity, and flyaways. Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 11 Dec. 2024 The first documentation of static electricity dates back to 600 BCE. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2024 Each layer is about one-tenth the thickness of a human hair and, when air is blown across it, static electricity is produced, which can then be harvested. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2024 Lightning is essentially a massive discharge of static electricity inside a storm cloud. Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for static electricity 

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of static electricity was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near static electricity

Cite this Entry

“Static electricity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/static%20electricity. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

static electricity

noun
: electricity that consists of isolated stationary charges

More from Merriam-Webster on static electricity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!