diode

noun

di·​ode ˈdī-ˌōd 

: an electronic device that has two electrodes or terminals and is used especially as a rectifier

Examples of diode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Top exports include certain chemicals (including sulfur, used to make fertilizer), plastics, precision instruments, machinery, electrical parts, aluminum, and electronic components, including transistors and diodes, Marsh reports. —Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 11 Mar. 2026

The Ghoul, in possession of the cold fusion diode, uses it to power New Vegas, thus awakening the digital House. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026

Single molecules could outperform silicon chips Electrons naturally flow more easily in one direction than the other, a property that could let a single molecule act like a tiny diode. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 31 Jan. 2026

My blue diode laser cutter isn't that fast, not even on cardstock. —New Atlas, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

di- + -ode

Note: The term was originated by the British physicist William Henry Eccles (1875-1966) in the journal The Electrician, vol. 82, no.16 (April 18, 1919), p. 475.

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing diode

• light-emitting diode
• Xener diode
• zener diode

Rhymes for diode

• abode
• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad

Kids Definition

diode

noun

di·​ode ˈdī-ˌōd 

: an electronic device with two electrodes that is used especially for changing alternating current into direct current