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

When put to use in a test setup, the material had a similar energy density to iron phosphate cathodes, which are noted more for their durability than energy density. —ArsTechnica, 26 June 2025

The nickel cobalt manganese aluminum oxide cathode for the lithium-ion battery adds aluminum to the standard nickel cobalt manganese cathode found in many advanced battery designs. —New Atlas, 25 June 2025

Heat generated from a fire, thermal runaway of an adjacent cell, or shorting of the battery can melt the porous membrane between the battery’s cathode and anode, causing this cell to go into thermal runaway. —Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 10 June 2025

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

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