electron pair

noun

1. Chemistry. two electrons occupying the same orbital in an atom or molecule; two electrons working together, especially forming a nonpolar covalent bond between atoms.
2. Physics. an electron and a positron produced in a reaction, as by a high-energy photon.

electron pair

1. Two electrons functioning or regarded as functioning together, especially two electrons that form a covalent bond between atoms.
2. An electron and a positron produced by a high-energy photon.

Word History and Origins

Origin of electron pair¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

However, Cooper’s theory described only the formation of a single electron pair.

From Nature

The crystal structure contains cubes of eight sodium atoms; half of these are filled with helium atoms, and the other half are each occupied by an electron pair, binding the sodium atoms together.

From Nature

If they don't have this number as single atoms, they often share with their neighbours, each electron pair constituting a single chemical bond.

From Scientific American