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electron

American  
[ih-lek-tron] / ɪˈlɛk trɒn /

noun

  1. Also called negatron.  Physics, Chemistry. an elementary particle that is a fundamental constituent of matter, having a negative charge of 1.602 × 10 −19 coulombs, a mass of 9.108 × 10 −31 kilograms, and spin of ½, and existing independently or as the component outside the nucleus of an atom.

  2. Electricity. a unit of charge equal to the charge on one electron.

electron British  
/ ɪˈlɛktrɒn /

noun

  1. a stable elementary particle present in all atoms, orbiting the nucleus in numbers equal to the atomic number of the element in the neutral atom; a lepton with a negative charge of 1.602 176 462 × 10 –19 coulomb, a rest mass of 9.109 381 88 × 10 –31 kilogram, a radius of 2.817 940 285 × 10 –15 metre, and a spin of 1/ 2

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
electron Scientific  
/ ĭ-lĕk′trŏn′ /

  1. A stable elementary particle in the lepton family having a mass at rest of 9.107 × 10 - 28 grams and a negative electric charge of approximately 1.602 × 10 - 19 coulombs. Electrons orbit about the positively charged nuclei of atoms in distinct orbitals of different energy levels, called shells. Electrons are the primary charge carriers in electric current.

  2. Compare positron See also electromagnetism elementary particle ion See Table at subatomic particle

  3. A positron or a negatron.

electron Cultural  

  1. An elementary particle with a negative charge and a very small mass. Electrons are normally found in orbits around the nucleus of an atom. The chemical reactions that an atom undergoes depend primarily on the electrons in the outermost orbits (the valence electrons).

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The movement of large numbers of electrons through conductors constitutes an electric current.

Etymology

Origin of electron

Term first suggested in 1891 by Irish physicist G. J. Stoney (1826–1911); electr(ic) + -on (from the names of charged particles, as ion, cation, anion ) with perhaps accidental allusion to Greek ḗlektron amber ( electric )

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

By slightly adjusting a chemical formula, they were able to alter how large numbers of electrons interact inside the material, guiding it into a topological superconducting state.

From Science Daily

Silicon differs fundamentally from carbon because it is more metallic and does not hold onto its electrons as tightly.

From Science Daily

This effect occurs when radio waves pass through regions filled with electrons and magnetic fields, causing the waves to shift.

From Science Daily

When solar activity surges, electron density in the ionosphere can rise significantly.

From Science Daily

"However, electron beam lithography has no such constraint. With electrons, we can realize our structures with sub-nanometer resolution, which is critical for our microresonators."

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.