French word

électron

Pronunciation

IPA/elɛktʁɔ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounelectron

Example

Un électron a une charge négative.

An electron has a negative charge.

Illustration for électron (electron)

More examples

Les électrons transportent la charge électrique dans un circuit.

Electrons transport electric charge in a circuit.

Core concept

A minuscule particle carrying a negative charge inside matter and through some electrical circuits.

Similar words

électricité: The movement of electric charge and the related phenomena or energy.
courant: The flow of electric charge through a conductor or circuit.

Definition in French

Constituant élémentaire des atomes, l'électron est une particule subatomique portant une charge négative.

Word origin

The French noun électron comes through English from Greek elektron, meaning amber, whose rubbed surface shows an early form of electrical attraction.

Usage tips

  • Électron has three French syllables, and its final -on is nasal rather than a full English 'on' sound.

Related words

Word lists with this word