cathode

noun

cath·ode | \ ˈka-ˌthōd

Definition of cathode

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

Other Words from cathode Example Sentences Learn More about cathode

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Other Words from cathode

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

The hulking lithium-ion battery in the belly of a Tesla Model S stores electrical energy as a voltage across an anode and cathode. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Where Are All the Hydrogen Cars?," 10 Aug. 2018 Heard on the Street has previously featured car-chip group Infineon and battery-cathode manufacturer Umicore as plays on electrification. — Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, "The Fool’s Game of Picking the Electric Car Champ," 27 July 2018 The beautiful clock charges via USB and is remote controlled, yet displays time in a Nixie Tube—an old-fashioned cathode tube with neon filaments. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Retro Cathode Ray Tube Clock Is Powered by USB," 13 Feb. 2015 At the cathode, catalysts split N2 molecules and prompt the hydrogen ions and electrons to react with nitrogen and make ammonia. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018 The protons flow through an electrolyte and a proton-permeable membrane to the cathode, while the electrons make the journey through a wire. — Robert F. Service, Science | AAAS, "Ammonia—a renewable fuel made from sun, air, and water—could power the globe without carbon," 12 July 2018 Essentially, a violent enough jolt can break the non-conductive wall that separates a battery's anode and cathode, which causes a big, nasty short inside the system. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "This Flaming Robot Shows Just How Dangerous a Busted Battery Can Be," 7 July 2016 As cobalt has become pricier and scarcer, some battery makers have produced cobalt-lite cathodes by raising the nickel content—to as much as eight times the amount of cobalt. — The Economist, "What if China corners the cobalt market?," 22 Mar. 2018 Because the biotattoo already contained the electron-sensing enzyme, the researchers just needed to add a cathode molecule. — Kathryn Free, Popular Mechanics, "A Temporary Tattoo to Track Your Workout and Charge Your Phone," 13 Aug. 2014

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