cathode

noun

cath·​ode ˈka-ˌthōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs:
a
: the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell
b
: the positive terminal of a galvanic cell
2
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube
broadly : the negative electrode of a diode compare anode
cathodal adjective
cathodally adverb
cathodic adjective
cathodically adverb

Examples of cathode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year, to stave off a financing crunch, Northvolt announced a retrenchment, scrapping two cathode material production facilities in Sweden, shuttering a research and development subsidiary in California and seeking out new investors for a project in Poland. Shawn Tully, Fortune Europe, 10 Oct. 2024 The battery’s anode and cathode store lithium, and they are connected by an electrolyte, a liquid chemical that passes lithium ions between the two to store or release energy. Aarian Marshall, WIRED, 15 Sep. 2024 Fast lithium ion transfer is ensured by a fast ion conductor coating on the cathode, fast-charging graphite and novel nano-coating technologies for the anode, multi-gradient layered electrode design, and ultra-high conductivity electrolyte formulation. New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024 But outside of those two efforts, there's almost nothing happening on the cathode. Amy Feldman, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cathode 

Word History

Etymology

Greek kathodos way down, from kata- + hodos way

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cathode was in 1834

Dictionary Entries Near cathode

Cite this Entry

“Cathode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathode. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

cathode

noun
cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the negative electrode of an electrolytic cell compare anode sense 1
2
: the positive terminal of a battery
3
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube
cathodic adjective

Medical Definition

cathode

noun
cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs: as
a
: the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell
b
: the positive terminal of a storage battery that is delivering current
2
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube compare anode

More from Merriam-Webster on cathode

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