electrode

noun

elec·​trode i-ˈlek-ˌtrōd 

1

: a conductor used to establish electrical contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit

2

: an element in a semiconductor device (such as a transistor) that emits or collects electrons or holes or controls their movements

Examples of electrode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers then placed electrodes on either side of the ridge to act as a gate. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

In the experiments, mice wore electrode helmets while turning a tiny steering wheel to control the movement of a black-and-white striped circle on a screen. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025

That's due to polarization, which hampers the movement of lithium ions into the battery's electrodes during rapid charging and discharging. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2025

On Earth, bubbles rise away from electrodes, but in microgravity, spinning is required to separate them. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing electrode

• inter-electrode

Rhymes for electrode

• interelectrode

Kids Definition

electrode

noun

elec·​trode i-ˈlek-ˌtrōd 

: a conductor (as a metal or carbon) used to make electrical contact with a part of an electrical circuit that is not metallic

Medical Definition

electrode

noun

elec·​trode i-ˈlek-ˌtrōd 

: a conductor used to establish electrical contact with a nonmetallic part of a circuit