anode

noun

an·​ode ˈa-ˌnōd 

1

: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs: such as

a

: the positive terminal of an electrolytic cell

b

: the negative terminal of a galvanic cell

2

: the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

broadly : the positive electrode of a diode compare cathode

anodic

a-ˈnä-dik 

adjective

or less commonly anodal

a-ˈnō-dᵊl 

anodically

a-ˈnō-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

or less commonly anodally

a-ˈnō-dᵊl-ē 

Examples of anode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Why fast charging has been hard to crack The issue with existing high-capacity batteries, silicon-anode and lithium-anode types, is that speed comes at a cost. —Deena Theresa, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026

China has already imposed export controls on lithium-ion batteries and graphite anodes — controls that took effect in November 2025 and remain in place, with a temporary suspension of enhanced licensing requirements currently in force through November 2026. —Gene Berdichevsky, Fortune, 14 May 2026

At Kamoa-Kakula, Ivanhoe has started producing copper anodes from a new smelter designed to process 500,000 tonnes a year, adding a power-hungry step to an operation already underserved by DR Congo’s electricity deficit. —Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 6 May 2026

The bigger batteries are due to silicon-carbon cells, which use silicon to replace some of the graphite in a lithium battery’s anode. —Dominic Preston, The Verge, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek anodos way up, from ana- + hodos way

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anode

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

Kids Definition

anode

noun

an·​ode ˈan-ˌōd 

1

: the positive electrode of an electrolytic cell to which the negative ions are attracted compare cathode

2

: the negative terminal of a battery that is delivering electric current

3

: the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

anodic

a-ˈnäd-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

anode

noun

an·​ode ˈan-ˌōd 

1

: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which oxidation occurs: as

a

: the positive terminal of an electrolytic cell

b

: the negative terminal of a storage battery that is delivering current

2

: the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube compare cathode