electrocute

[ ih-lek-truh-kyoot ]
/ ɪˈlɛk trəˌkyut /

verb (used with object), e·lec·tro·cut·ed, e·lec·tro·cut·ing.

to kill by electricity.
to execute (a criminal) by electricity, as in an electric chair.

Origin of electrocute

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; electro- + (exe)cute

OTHER WORDS FROM electrocute

e·lec·tro·cu·tion, noun

Example sentences from the Web for electrocute

British Dictionary definitions for electrocute

electrocute
/ (ɪˈlɛktrəˌkjuːt) /

verb (tr)

to kill as a result of an electric shock
US to execute in the electric chair

Derived forms of electrocute

electrocution, noun

Word Origin for electrocute

C19: from electro- + (exe)cute