Skip to main content
electric cord

electric cord

1 2.4
A flexible covered wire that carries electricity to an appliance
  • noun
  • /ɪˈlɛktrɪk kɔrd/
translation icon : cable eléctrico
  • He tripped over the long electric cord while rushing to answer the doorbell.

Examples

  • He sees the workman turn the polisher off and begin coiling the long electric cord.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • You simply place the pump in the box and run the electric cord through it and the outtake hose out of it to create a suction filter.

    Blog text (29)
  • I raised the electric cord so he could see it.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Two cells in a Petri dish that she shocks with an electric cord.

  • You know how many electric cords I've chewed?

  • She carefully wrapped the electric cord around the power strip to keep it organized.

  • Before using the blender, make sure the electric cord is secure and plugged in.

Synonyms

wire
vselectric cord
700 1.0

A thin metal strand used to carry electricity or to fasten things

is insulated and intended specifically to connect appliances to a power source
cable
vselectric cord
  • Specialized
282 2.4

A thick strong wire that carries electricity or signals

is thinner and mainly serves to connect small devices to electricity
cord
vselectric cord
  • US
92 2.0

A thin insulated wire that carries electricity to appliances

focuses on the connection to a device rather than the broader power distribution role
extension cord
vselectric cord
  • US
15 2.5

A cable with a plug and sockets that lets you use electric devices farther from an outlet

is about the basic flexible insulated connection, not primarily for extending reach
lead
vselectric cord
  • Specialized
12 6.7

A short wire used to connect electrical parts

serves as a long insulated connector linking an appliance to its power source
power cable
vselectric cord
5 2.4

A wire that carries electricity to a machine or device

is more about the short, insulated connection from device to its power source
power cord
vselectric cord
4 2.2

A cable that connects a device to a wall outlet to give it power

is the general flexible insulated conductor used to connect a device to electricity
electrical cable
vselectric cord
1 2.8

Wires wrapped in a covering that carry electricity to devices

is a simpler single flexible insulated conductor mainly for direct device connection
conducting wire
vselectric cord
  • Specialized
3.4

A thin metal line that carries electricity from one place to another

adds insulation and device connection purpose to that basic conductive function

Surface Forms

electric cord singular

Morphology

electric + cord

The meaning is a direct composition of 'electric' (relating to electrical power) + 'cord' (a wire or insulated connector), so the phrase plainly denotes a cord that carries electricity. This straightforward noun–noun compounding is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Electric cord gives a clear picture: a flexible cord that carries 'electricity' from the wall to a lamp or device, with electric naming the power and cord the cable. So it means the flexible wire that brings 'electricity' to an appliance.