electron
2 synonyms for electron, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tiny particle with a negative electric charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom; the flow of electrons through a conductor is what we call electricity.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
negative particle
negatron
How to use electron
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
electron shell
free electron
electron microscope
Etymology
Coined around 1891 by physicist George Stoney, blending "electric" and "ion" to name the unit of electric charge; the word later came to mean the particle itself.
Full origin of electron →Frequently asked questions
What does “electron” mean?
The word “electron” means a tiny particle with a negative electric charge that orbits the nucleus of an atom; the flow of electrons through a conductor is what we call electricity. In plain terms, one of the tiny negatively-charged particles that move around the center of an atom and carry electric current.
How do you pronounce “electron”?
“Electron” is pronounced ih-LEHK-tron (/ɪˈlɛk.tɹɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “electron” in a sentence?
Here is “electron” used in a sentence: “Electrons jump between atoms to carry an electric current through a wire.”
What part of speech is “electron”?
“Electron” is a noun.
Where does the word “electron” come from?
The word “electron” dates back to around 1891. Coined around 1891 by physicist George Stoney, blending "electric" and "ion" to name the unit of electric charge; the word later came to mean the particle itself.
Is “electron” a common word?
“Electron” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an electron and a proton?
An electron carries a negative electric charge and orbits the nucleus of an atom, while a proton carries a positive charge and sits inside the nucleus itself. Electrons are also far lighter than protons, and it is the movement of electrons, not protons, that produces electric current.
Why does the flow of electrons create electricity?
Electricity is essentially the movement of electrons through a conductor, such as a copper wire. When electrons flow in a consistent direction through the material, that flow of charge is what we experience and measure as electric current.
Do electrons move around the nucleus like planets orbit the sun?
Electrons do orbit the nucleus of an atom, though the comparison to planets is a simplification used for basic explanation. In reality their behavior is governed by more complex physics, but describing them as orbiting the nucleus is a standard and useful shorthand.
