An electric blanket is a type of bedding that contains built-in heating wires and is powered by electricity to provide warmth. The word combines three characters: 电 (diàn) meaning 'electricity', 热 (rè) meaning 'heat' or 'warmth', and 毯 (tǎn) meaning 'blanket' — literally 'electric-heat-blanket'. It’s commonly used during cold winters, especially in regions without central heating, and is popular among elderly people or those with poor circulation.

This noun is always used as a countable noun and typically appears with measure words like 一床 (yì chuáng) or 一条 (yì tiáo). It functions as the subject or object in sentences and rarely takes modifiers beyond adjectives like 'new', 'old', or 'warm'. Unlike traditional blankets, it requires a power outlet and safety precautions — many modern versions include automatic shut-off timers and adjustable temperature settings.