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

YPlasma’s protected electrode design ensures the cooling system lasts the entire lifetime of the device. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Jan. 2026

To study how the birds tap, the researchers first humanely captured eight wild Downy Woodpeckers and carefully inserted electrodes into their muscles in the laboratory. —Rohini Subrahmanyam, Scientific American, 2 Jan. 2026

Then, a simple water-splitting reaction at the auxiliary electrode generates hydroxide, which combines with the lithium to produce lithium hydroxide. —New Atlas, 31 Dec. 2025

All that’s missing from this Minority Report scene are the electrodes. —Chelsey Stone, Outside, 26 Dec. 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