cathode

cath·ode

noun \ˈka-ˌthōd\

Definition of CATHODE

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

— cath·od·al \ˈka-ˌthō-d^əl\ adjective

— cath·od·al·ly adverb

— ca·thod·ic \ka-ˈthä-dik, -ˈthō-\ adjective

— ca·thod·i·cal·ly \-di-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin of CATHODE

Greek kathodos way down, from kata- + hodos way

First Known Use: 1834

Rhymes with CATHODE

abode, anode, bar code, boatload, busload, byroad, carload, cartload, caseload, church mode, commode, corrode, crossroad, dead load, decode, diode, displode, download, dress code, dynode, embowed, encode, epode, erode, explode, forebode, freeload, front-load, geode, high road, implode, inroad, live load, lymph node, no-load, off-load, outmode, payload, planeload, postcode, post road, railroad, rhapsode, sarod, shipload, side road, Silk Road, skid road, source code, spring-load, square-toed, tetrode, threnode, trainload, triode, truckload, unload, upload, zip code

cath·ode

noun \ˈkath-ˌōd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CATHODE

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

cathode

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Terminal or electrode at which electrons enter a system, such as an electrolytic cell or an electron tube. In a battery or other source of direct current, the cathode is the positive terminal. In a passive load it is the negative terminal. In an electron tube, such as a cathode-ray tube, electrons stream off the cathode and travel through the tube toward the anode.