electric eel

noun

: a large eel-shaped fish (Electrophorus electricus) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with its electric organs

Examples of electric eel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Scientists have long known that electric eels are indeed electric. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024 Further Reading Scientists surprised to find that electric eels sometimes hunt in packs Vanderbilt University biologist and neuroscientist Kenneth Catania is one of the most prominent scientists studying electric eels these days. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024 One species, Volta's electric eel (Electrophorus voltai), can produce a discharge of up to 860 volts. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024 In this brutally violent revenge thriller, deaths are inflicted by fire, industrial shredder, pressure chamber, and electric eel. —Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 29 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for electric eel 

Word History

First Known Use

1774, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electric eel was in 1774

Dictionary Entries Near electric eel

electric ear

electric eel

electric eraser

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Electric eel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electric%20eel. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

electric eel

noun
: a large South American eel-shaped fish able to give a severe electric shock

Medical Definition

electric eel

noun
: a large eel-shaped bony fish (Electrophorus electricus of the family Electrophoridae) of the Orinoco and Amazon basins that is capable of giving a severe shock with electricity generated by a special tract of tissue

More from Merriam-Webster on electric eel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about electric eel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...