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

Today, all intermediate processing steps — from metallization to magnet pressing and from raw cathode metals to battery-ready precursors — occur overseas. —William Jones, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Lithium manganese-rich is a lithium-ion technology designed to remove a significant amount of cobalt from the cathode, which reduces the cost of the battery to near LFP (lithium iron phosphate) levels, while maintaining more energy density. —Chad Kirchner, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025

However, the cathode rapidly stores and releases energy using both double-layer capacitance and fast redox reactions. —IEEE Spectrum, 10 May 2025

The first-generation Chevrolet Volt used cells with manganese spinel cathodes, said Sam Abuelsamid, vice president of market research at Telemetry Insights. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 30 Apr. 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