e ‧ lec ‧ tri ‧ ci ‧ ty S2 W3 /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti, ɪˌlekˈtrɪsɪti, ˌelɪk-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ electrician , ↑ electricity , ↑ electrics , ↑ electrification ; adjective : ↑ electric , ↑ electrical , ↑ electrified , ↑ electrifying ; verb : ↑ electrify ; adverb : ↑ electrically ]
1 . the power that is carried by wires, ↑ cable s etc, and is used to provide light or heat, to make machines work etc:
The farm was very isolated, but it had electricity.
2 . a feeling of excitement:
There was electricity in the air between the two of them.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ generate/produce electricity
We need to find cleaner ways of generating electricity.
▪ provide/supply electricity (=produce electricity and make it available to people)
The dam will provide water and electricity for 30 million people.
▪ use electricity
The system uses electricity to heat the water.
▪ be powered by electricity
In an emergency, the hospital can be powered by electricity from a generator.
▪ conduct electricity (=used of a substance – allow electricity to travel along or through it)
Some metals conduct electricity better than others.
▪ cut off the electricity (=stop the supply of electricity)
You risk having your electricity cut off if you fail to pay the bill.
■ electricity + NOUN
▪ the electricity supply (=electricity provided to homes and businesses)
The storms have disrupted the electricity supply to some areas.
▪ electricity demand (=the amount of electricity that is needed)
There has been a dramatic growth in electricity demand.
▪ electricity production (=the process of producing electricity, or the amount produced)
California’s strict environmental policies make it difficult to increase electricity production.
▪ electricity consumption (=the amount of electricity that is used)
Our target is to cut electricity consumption by 10%.
▪ an electricity bill (=a bill you have to pay for electricity you have used)
I pay my electricity bill by direct debit.
▪ an electricity company
Some electricity companies may be able to offer you an environmentally friendly option.
▪ the electricity industry
He works in the electricity industry.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + electricity
▪ mains electricity British English (=electricity supplied to a building from the national electricity supply)
The cottage has no mains electricity.
▪ static electricity (=electricity that collects on a surface, for example on your clothes or a balloon)
He touched the door handle, and felt a jolt of static electricity.