cathode

noun

cath·​ode ˈka-ˌthōd 

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

ˈka-ˌthō-dᵊl 

adjective

cathodally adverb

cathodic

ka-ˈthä-dik  -ˈthō- 

adjective

cathodically

ka-ˈthä-di-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈthō-

adverb

Examples of cathode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s now a global race toward practical solid-state batteries with the likes of Toyota and Sumitomo ramping up cathode production. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2025

There’s even a growing market for clunky-but-charming mini cathode-ray-style TVs — and boomboxes with streaming capability. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025

Another issue is the midstream part of the battery supply chain, consisting of the development of batteries' anode and cathode components. —Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025

To tackle this, a team of material chemists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a more sustainable electrolyte – the compound that facilitates the movement of lithium ions between a battery's cathode and anode. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kathodos way down, from kata- + hodos way

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cathode

• cathode ray
• cathode-ray tube

Rhymes for cathode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad
• decode

Kids Definition

cathode

noun

cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd 

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

ka-ˈthäd-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

cathode

noun

cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd 

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