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

But even with that investment to produce cleaner electrons, fossil fuels are still playing a large role in powering data. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

At one electron per cell, each electron can have a preferred location and magnetic orientation. —Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 6 Dec. 2024

Meta is joining Amazon, Google and other tech giants in turning to nuclear generation to fuel energy-thirsty AI data centers with zero-carbon electrons. —Ben Geman, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024

Silicon revolutionized the industry but now faces limits due to heat and miniaturization as defined by Moore's Law. Diamond, being an extreme material, offers unparalleled heat dissipation and fast electron movement. —New Atlas, 30 Nov. 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