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

Higher-energy beams penetrate deeper, forming the internal structures that make chips work, such as transistors and diodes. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026

To achieve this, the company used RGB tech that allows the microscopic red, green and blue diodes to generate color independently. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes.com, 5 Jan. 2026

As the switch presses down, more light is gradually exposed to the diode, which is transferred into a keypress. —Henri Robbins, Wired News, 9 Dec. 2025

CurrentBody went all in on pure laser diodes, which penetrate the scalp more deeply and effectively than LEDs alone, according to a 2020 study. —Polly Blitzer, Allure, 6 Dec. 2025

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