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

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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 One of its main properties is its ability to facilitate chemical reactions by making electrons move. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026 But a chip is, in fact, a functional city for a population of busy electrons. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Researchers are already exploring ways to capture such rapid changes, including experiments imaging electrons and atoms during chemical reactions. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 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

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Electron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electron. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

electron

noun

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electron

noun

Examples of electron in a Sentence

Word History

Phrases Containing electron

Rhymes for electron

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

More from Merriam-Webster on electron

More from Merriam-Webster

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