electrolyte

noun

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elec·tro·lyte | \ i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt

Definition of electrolyte

1 : a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions

2a : a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent or when fused becomes an ionic conductor

b : any of the ions (as of sodium or calcium) that in biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (such as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells)

Examples of electrolyte in a Sentence

The drink will replenish your electrolytes.

Recent Examples on the Web Cuberg was spun out from Stanford in 2015 to commercialize its cell breakthroughs, which use a revolutionary liquid electrolyte with a lithium-metal anode. — Michael Taylor, Forbes, "Volkswagen Battery Partner Northvolt Snaps Up Cuberg And Aims For 1000Wh/l," 10 Mar. 2021 An electrolyte imbalance might even lead to a heart attack or a coma. — Colleen Murphy, Health.com, "The Different Types of Eating Disorders—What They Are and What You Need to Know About Them," 24 Feb. 2021 Like your smartphone, a Tesla or BMW i3 is powered by a battery with a liquid electrolyte that carries lithium ions back and forth between the cathode and anode during charging and discharging. — Stephen Wilmot, WSJ, "The Hot Battery Startup That Could Zap Tesla," 1 Jan. 2021 The solid electrolyte should work with any cathode type, though. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "Company claims solid-state lithium-metal battery breakthrough," 9 Dec. 2020 Like the liquid electrolyte that sits between the electrodes in a conventional cell, its main function is to ferry lithium ions from one terminal to the other when the battery charges and discharges. — Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, "Did QuantumScape Just Solve a 40-Year-Old Battery Problem?," 8 Dec. 2020 Like QuantumScape, these cells have a lithium-metal anode and a ceramic solid-state electrolyte. — Daniel Oberhaus, Wired, "Did QuantumScape Just Solve a 40-Year-Old Battery Problem?," 8 Dec. 2020 Keep three liters in your bag at a minimum and pack a few electrolyte tablets to help regulate your body’s sodium levels. — Derek Mcdonald, Outdoor Life, "How to Build the Best Emergency Go-Bag for Your Truck," 3 Nov. 2020 So researchers around the world have been experimenting with batteries that use a solid electrolyte instead, with a particular eye on using them in electric vehicles. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Mercedes-Benz’s newest electric city bus uses solid-state batteries," 30 Sep. 2020

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

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Last Updated

21 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Electrolyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electrolyte. Accessed 22 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

noun

English Language Learners Definition of electrolyte

chemistry : a liquid (such as the liquid in a battery) through which electricity can pass

technical : any one of various substances in the fluid of your body that control how your body processes waste and absorbs vitamins, minerals, etc.

See the full definition for electrolyte in the English Language Learners Dictionary

electrolyte

noun

elec·tro·lyte | \ i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt

Kids Definition of electrolyte

1 : a substance (as an acid or salt) that when dissolved (as in water) conducts an electric current

2 : a substance (as sodium or calcium) that is an ion in the body regulating the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells

electrolyte

noun

elec·tro·lyte | \ i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt

Medical Definition of electrolyte

1 : a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions

2a : a substance (as an acid, base, or salt) that when dissolved in a suitable solvent (as water) or when fused becomes an ionic conductor

b : any of the ions (as of sodium, potassium, calcium, or bicarbonate) that in a biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells) —used especially in biology and biochemistry