noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˌɛl.ɛkˈtɹɒn.ɪks/
Received-Pronunciation:/ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɒn.ɪks/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:/ɪˌlɛkˈtɹɑ.nɪks/
rhymes with -ɒnɪks
CMU ARPABET:IH2 L EH2 K T R AA1 N IH0 K S
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
The study and use of electrical devices that operate by controlling the flow of electrons or other electrically charged particles or by converting the flow of charged particles to or from other forms of energy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Devices which require the flow of electrons through conductors and semiconductors in order to perform their function; devices that operate on electrical power (battery or outlet)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, in-plural, uncountable
Examples
Look at all the electronics in this room!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
Electronic circuitry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
The electronics is the difference between a modern and an old-fashioned thermostat.
The electronics are completely updated.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
the branch of physics that deals with the emission and effects of electrons and with the use of electronic devices
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: physics, natural philosophy
Narrower terms: electron optics, microelectronics, thermionics
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Ancient Greek ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron)bor. Latin ēlectrum Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus New Latin ēlectricusbor. English electric Proto-Indo-European *h1ey- Proto-Indo-European *h1éyti Proto-Hellenic *éimi Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión)der. English ion English electron ▲ Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic Old English -as Middle English -es English -s English -ics English electronics From electron + -ics.
Across languages
Translations
117 source translations are retained for this English entry.