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Definition of electrocution

electrocution

/ɪˌlɛktrəˈkjuːʃən/
e · lec · tro · cu · tion
Plural:electrocutions
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electrocution Lexical Profile

electrocution Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The injury or killing of someone by a severe electric shock passing through the body.

Example

"Safety regulations require all outdoor outlets to have ground-fault circuit interrupters to prevent accidental electrocution."

2

The legal execution of a condemned prisoner by passing a high-voltage electric current through their body, typically in an electric chair.

Example

"By the late twentieth century, most jurisdictions had replaced electrocution with alternative methods of capital punishment."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for electrocution

Word Nuance & Usage

Strictly speaking, 'electrocution' refers to a fatal electric shock, though in informal usage it is frequently applied to severe, non-fatal electrical injuries; in formal, medical, or legal writing, 'electric shock' is preferred when the victim survives.

• Rhymes for electrocution

• Nearby Words

electrifyingly
electro
electrocute
electrocution
electrologist
electrolyte
electromagnet

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in American English in 1889 as a portmanteau of 'electro-' and 'execution', originally referring specifically to capital punishment via the newly invented electric chair.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Electrocution. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/electrocution
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