coulomb

1 of 2

noun

cou·​lomb ˈkü-ˌläm How to pronounce coulomb (audio)
-ˌlōm
: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second

coulomb

2 of 2

adjective

kü-ˈläm-bik How to pronounce coulomb (audio)
-ˈlōm-,
-ˈlä-mik,
-ˈlō-
variants or coulombic
: of, relating to, or being the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between charged particles

Examples of coulomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Ampere: One ampere (or amp for short) is equal to a specific flow of current (a coulomb) moving past a point in one second, and named for French physicist André-Marie Ampère who first theorized the existence of the electron. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 7 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coulomb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Charles A. de Coulomb

First Known Use

Noun

1881, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coulomb was in 1881

Dictionary Entries Near coulomb

Cite this Entry

“Coulomb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coulomb. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

coulomb

noun
cou·​lomb
ˈkü-ˌläm,
-ˌlōm;
kü-ˈläm,
-ˈlōm
: the practical meter-kilogram-second unit of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second
Etymology

Noun

named for Charles-Augustin de Coulomb 1736–1806, French scientist

Medical Definition

coulomb

noun
: the practical mks unit of electric charge equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second

Biographical Definition

Coulomb

biographical name

Cou·​lomb kü-ˈlōⁿ How to pronounce Coulomb (audio)
ˈkü-ˌläm,
-ˌlōm,
kü-ˈläm,
-ˈlōm
Charles-Augustin de 1736–1806 French physicist

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