anode

noun

an·​ode ˈa-ˌnōd How to pronounce anode (audio)
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 adjective
or less commonly anodal
anodically adverb
or less commonly anodally

Examples of anode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The engineers from the University of California, San Diego, and Unigrid Battery, a company developing advanced sodium-ion battery solutions, achieved outstanding energy density with the new anode. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025 In a move to protect China’s edge in the electric vehicle industry, the ministry on Thursday also announced curbs on lithium batteries and synthetic graphite anode materials, as well as equipment and technologies used to produce them. John Liu, CNN Money, 9 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 These batteries are still lithium-ion batteries; however, the graphite anode has been replaced with a silicon-carbon anode. Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anode

Word History

Etymology

Greek anodos way up, from ana- + hodos way

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anode was in 1834

Cite this Entry

“Anode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anode. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

anode

noun
an·​ode ˈan-ˌōd How to pronounce anode (audio)
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 adjective

Medical Definition

anode

noun
an·​ode ˈan-ˌōd How to pronounce anode (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on anode

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