The unit of measurement for electric current is the ampere, often shortened to "amp." It is one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI) and is defined as one coulomb of electric charge passing through a conductor in one second. The ampere is crucial in understanding how electrical circuits function, as it quantifies the flow of electric charge. Instruments like ammeters are used to measure current in various applications, from household wiring to large industrial setups.