1
: an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons
2
: a charged subatomic particle (such as a free electron)
Ionic
1
a
: act or process
validation
b
: result of an act or process
regulation
2
: state or condition
hydration
Examples of ion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 2 July 2025
Each of these had a variable number of lithium atoms at each of the corners of these structures, and molecular simulations showed that lithium ions could readily move between these locations, allowing the material to shuffle ions around rapidly.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Before the analysis took place, small samples of material were separated using a high-energy ion beam.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025
To avoid the subject material being exposed to Earth's atmosphere and reacting with its oxygen, the ion beam cored into the samples, extracting the beads from within them, and then taking care that the material was protected from our atmosphere.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ion
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.
Noun
Fusion is a carbon-free process that relies on heated plasma, a gas made up of hot ions and free-moving electrons.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 2 July 2025
Each of these had a variable number of lithium atoms at each of the corners of these structures, and molecular simulations showed that lithium ions could readily move between these locations, allowing the material to shuffle ions around rapidly.
—ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025
Before the analysis took place, small samples of material were separated using a high-energy ion beam.
—Rosie McCall, Discover Magazine, 16 June 2025
To avoid the subject material being exposed to Earth's atmosphere and reacting with its oxygen, the ion beam cored into the samples, extracting the beads from within them, and then taking care that the material was protected from our atmosphere.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ion
Cite this Entry
“Ion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ion. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ion
1 of 2 noun
ˈī-ən 
ˈī-ˌän
: an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons
-ion
2 of 2 noun suffix1
a
: act or process
validation
b
: result of an act or process
regulation
2
: state or condition
hydration
Etymology
Noun suffix
derived from Latin -ion (suffix) "act or process"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share