anode

noun an·ode \ ˈa-ˌnōd \

|Updated on: 3 Jul 2018

Definition of anode

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

play \a-ˈnä-dik\ or less commonly anodal play \-ˈnō-dᵊl\ adjective

—

anodically

play \-di-k(ə-)lē\ or less commonly anodally play \-dᵊl-ē\ adverb

See anode defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of anode from the Web

The oxygen gets released in molecular form (O2) at the anode thanks to an aluminum oxide catalyst.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Process takes CO₂ from the air, converts it to carbon nanotubes," 30 May 2018
Prototype batteries built at Sila with the startup's silicon-dominant anode technology.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "The Battery Boost We’ve Been Waiting for Is Only a Few Years Out," 18 Mar. 2018
Current battery anodes can have small amounts of silicon, boosting their performance slightly.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "The Battery Boost We’ve Been Waiting for Is Only a Few Years Out," 18 Mar. 2018
Most handheld and portable electronics use lithium ion batteries, which are made up of an anode, a cathode, a separator, an electrolyte, a positive current, and a negative current.

— lauren goode, WIRED, "Batteries Still Suck, But Researchers Are Working on It," 22 May 2018
Getting these molecules across that barrier is energy expensive, which ensures that no reactions take place at the anode.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "New lithium-air battery survives hundreds of cycles," 22 Mar. 2018
The core innovation is building anodes, one of the main components of any battery, primarily from silicon.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Lithium-Silicon Batteries Could Give Your Phone 30% More Power," 18 Mar. 2018
First, some science: Every lithium-ion battery has an anode and a cathode.

— christopher mims, WSJ, "The Battery Boost We’ve Been Waiting for Is Only a Few Years Out," 18 Mar. 2018
Ars has written about many of them: a new zinc anode, a high-temperature liquid metal pump, light-weight vehicle concepts.

— megan geuss, Ars Technica, "Trump really wants to kill ARPA-E; federal agency says that’s folly," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anode.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anode

Greek anodos way up, from ana- + hodos way

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1834

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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ANODE Defined for English Language Learners

anode

noun

Definition of anode for English Language Learners

: the part of an electrical device (such as a battery) from which electrons leave

ANODE Defined for Kids

anode

noun an·ode \ ˈa-ˌnōd \

Definition of anode for Students

1 : the positive electrode of an electrolytic cell

2 : the negative end of a battery that is delivering electric current

3 : the electron-collecting electrode of an electron tube

Medical Dictionary

anode

noun an·ode \ ˈan-ˌōd \

medical Definition of anode

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

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See words that rhyme with anode Spanish Central: Translation of anode Nglish: Translation of anode for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anode

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anode

Definition of anode

anodic

anodically

Recent Examples of anode from the Web

Origin and Etymology of anode

ANODE Defined for English Language Learners

anode

Definition of anode for English Language Learners

ANODE Defined for Kids

anode

Definition of anode for Students

Medical Dictionary

anode

medical Definition of anode

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