electrocution

[ ih-lek-truh-kyoo-shuhn ]

noun

1. death or injury from electricity passing through the body:

   The electrical cord used to light the showers was exposed to standing water, posing risk of electrocution.

   One current source of danger for golden eagles is electrocution on power poles that are not constructed to bird-friendly standards.

Word History and Origins

Origin of electrocution¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1885–90; electro- ( def ) + (exe)cution ( def )

Example Sentences

As usual, she was sharp, disciplined, and able to speak about policy issues instead of ranting about Hannibal Lecter or electrocution sharks.

From Salon

Vance can speak in complete sentences without rambling about sharks or electrocution.

From Salon

But so has Trump, and at least Biden never told us to inject bleach or rambled on about sharks, electrocutions, and airplanes during the Revolutionary War.

From Salon

Mr Knight told Radio Wiltshire the early part of Jason's treatment had been especially difficult as the electrocution had continued to "kill the body" even after the initial shock.

From BBC

It wasn’t immediately clear if the person touched the power line or, as firefighters wrote in a news release, the “power line arced and caused the electrocution.”

From Seattle Times