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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Common

electronics

ehl-ehk-TRON-ihks
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Electronics (noun) means the branch of science and engineering concerned with devices that control the flow of electrons, such as circuits and semiconductors. Example: “Her electronics course covers circuits, sensors and how transistors work.”

noun
1
The branch of science and engineering concerned with devices that control the flow of electrons, such as circuits and semiconductors.
"Her electronics course covers circuits, sensors and how transistors work."
"Advances in electronics have made computers much smaller over the decades."
"He studied electronics at university before becoming a hardware engineer."
2
Electronic devices collectively, especially consumer gadgets.
"We recycle old electronics at the council centre instead of throwing them away."
"The store has a whole section for home electronics like TVs and speakers."
"Keep your electronics away from water."

How to use electronics

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the science of circuits and chips, or the gadgets themselves — phones, TVs, computers, and the like.

Common pairings
consumer electronics electronics store study electronics
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Word forms

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Her _____ course covers circuits, sensors and how transistors work.

Etymology

From electron plus the noun-forming suffix -ics, on the model of words like "physics."

gadgets devices gear appliances circuitry tech

Related words

Rhymes for electronics

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Frequently asked questions

What does “electronics” mean?
The word “electronics” means the branch of science and engineering concerned with devices that control the flow of electrons, such as circuits and semiconductors. In plain terms, either the science of circuits and chips, or the gadgets themselves — phones, TVs, computers, and the like.
How do you pronounce “electronics”?
“Electronics” is pronounced ehl-ehk-TRON-ihks (/ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪks/ in IPA).
How do you use “electronics” in a sentence?
Here is “electronics” used in a sentence: “He studied electronics at university before becoming a hardware engineer.”
What part of speech is “electronics”?
“Electronics” is a noun.
Is “electronics” a common word?
“Electronics” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “electronics” have?
“Electronics” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the branch of science and engineering concerned with devices that control the flow of electrons, such as circuits and semiconductors.
What is the difference between electronics and electrical engineering?
Electrical work mainly concerns the generation and distribution of electrical power, such as wiring and motors. Electronics concerns controlling the flow of electrons in circuits and small devices like semiconductors and chips, so electronics deals with signals and control rather than bulk power.
Is 'electronics' singular or plural?
When it means the branch of science and engineering, electronics is treated as singular, as in 'electronics is a fast-moving field.' When it means electronic devices collectively, it is plural, as in 'the electronics are on sale.'
What is the difference between electronics and hardware?
Hardware usually means the physical components of a computer or system, in contrast to software. Electronics is the broader field and the wider range of devices that control the flow of electrons, so computer hardware is one application of electronics.
What is the difference between electronics and gadgets?
Electronics is a broad category covering all electronic devices, especially consumer products. Gadgets are small, often novel or specialized devices, so gadgets are a subset of electronics.

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