electronic

American  

[ih-lek-tron-ik, ee-lek-] / ɪ lɛkˈtrɒn ɪk, ˌi lɛk- /

adjective

1. of or relating to electronics or to devices, circuits, or systems developed through electronics.

2. of or relating to electrons or to an electron.

3. (of a musical instrument) using electric or electronic means to produce or modify the sound.

4. of, relating to, or controlled by computers or computerized systems: an electronic document.

   electronic voting;

   an electronic document.

5. of or noting computerized products, services, or technologies: electronic banking.

   online electronic dictionaries;

   electronic banking.

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electronic British  

/ ˌiːlɛk-, ɪlɛkˈtrɒnɪk /

adjective

1. of, concerned with, using, or operated by devices in which electrons are conducted through a semiconductor, free space, or gas

2. of or concerned with electronics

3. of or concerned with electrons or an electron

   an electronic energy level in a molecule

4. involving or concerned with the representation, storage, or transmission of information by electronic systems

   electronic mail

   electronic shopping

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electronic Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trŏn′ĭk /

1. Relating to electrical devices that amplify and process electrical signals. Audio amplifiers, radios, and digital circuitry are electronic devices.

2. ◆ The scientific study of the behavior and design of electronic devices and circuits is called electronics.

3. Compare electric

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Usage

Electronic is used to refer to equipment, such as television sets, computers, etc, in which the current is controlled by transistors, valves, and similar components and also to the components themselves. Electrical is used in a more general sense, often to refer to the use of electricity as a whole as opposed to other forms of energy: electrical engineering; an electrical appliance. Electric, in many cases used interchangeably with electrical, is often restricted to the description of particular devices or to concepts relating to the flow of current: electric fire; electric charge

Other Word Forms

• electronically adverb
• interelectronic adjective
• nonelectronic adjective
• preelectronic adjective
• unelectronic adjective

Etymology

Origin of electronic

First recorded in 1900–05; electron + -ic

Explanation

Electronic things work because of electricity that's transmitted using tiny parts. The keyboard you play in your band is electronic, and so is the calculator you use in math class. The adjective electronic describes machines and devices that require electrical currents to run, and that use microchips and transistors to direct that current. There are electronic parts in many areas of our lives — cars use electronic devices, and so do computers, radios, televisions, and cell phones. Electronic instruments like synthesizers have lead to an entire genre of music that's also known as electronic. The word itself was first used in the 1930's to mean "pertaining to electrons."

Example Sentences

In its filing last week, the CBP said it can issue electronic refunds for about $127 billion, or 82% of tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026

It offers a potential alternative to traditional batteries, which contain toxic and flammable materials, rely on complex global supply chains, and contribute to growing electronic waste.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

At Arxis’s IPO price of $28 a share, the Bloomfield, Conn.-based electronic and mechanical components manufacturer started trading with a market value of more than $11 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

CBP has promised to get payments out in 60 to 90 days, and they will come via electronic transfers, not paper checks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Ralph shuddered at the thought of an electronic mouser sending his family screaming into the snow to freeze to death.

From "Ralph S. Mouse" by Beverly Cleary

Related Words

• computerized