electron

noun

elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn How to pronounce electron (audio)
: 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

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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.
For example, an electron can be in more than one place at once until it’s measured. — Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026 The most likely candidates probably involve the electrons themselves, which swing back and forth under the influence of their charge and spin. — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026 At each step in this chain, a portion of the electrons’ energy is siphoned off to pump protons across a membrane—Mitchell’s great insight—and the pressure of those protons rushing back through a molecular turbine is what makes ATP. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 As their name implies, each qubit is stored in an ion, an atom that has lost one or more of its electrons. — ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for electron

Word History

Etymology

electr- + -on entry 2

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electron was in 1891

Phrases Containing electron

Rhymes for electron

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Browse Nearby Words

electromyograph
electron
electron affinity
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Cite this Entry

“Electron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

electron

noun
elec·​tron i-ˈlek-ˌträn How to pronounce electron (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce electron (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on electron

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about electron

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