electron
ih-LEHK-tron
Electron (noun) 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. Example: “Electrons jump between atoms to carry an electric current through a wire.”
noun
1
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.
"Electrons jump between atoms to carry an electric current through a wire."
"Each atom has a specific number of electrons arranged in shells around its nucleus."
"A single electron is far too small to see, even under a normal microscope."
How to use electron
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne of the tiny negatively-charged particles that move around the center of an atom and carry electric current.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
electron shell
free electron
electron microscope
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Word forms
- Plural
- electrons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ jump between atoms to carry an electric current through a wire.
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.
Class of 1891
electron joined the language around 1891.
See the full Class of 1891 →
Synonyms
View more →
negative particle
negatron
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.
