Definition

1. Noun:
   • A public utility that provides electricity: An organization, typically a regulated monopoly, that generates, transmits, and/or distributes electrical power to residential, commercial, and industrial customers within a specific geographic area.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The electric company sent a notice about scheduled maintenance.
  • You should contact your local electric company to report a power outage.
  • Rates charged by the electric company are regulated by the state commission.

Advanced Usage

• "Investor-owned electric company": A utility company that is privately owned and operated, as opposed to a municipal or cooperative utility.
  • The investor-owned electric company serves most of the metropolitan area.
• "To be with [an electric company]": To be a customer of a specific utility provider.
  • We've been with the same electric company for over ten years.

Variants and Related Words

• Utility company (n): A broader term for a company providing essential public services such as electricity, gas, or water.
• Power company (n): A common synonym for an electric company.
• Electric utility (n): A more formal term for an electric company.

Synonyms

• Power utility
• Electrical utility

Related Phrases

• Electric bill: The invoice sent by the electric company for power consumed.
  • The electric bill was higher this month due to the heat wave.
• Service area: The geographic region served by a particular electric company.
  • Our town is in the service area of two different electric companies.

Noun

1. a public utility that provides electricity