ion

1 of 3

noun

ˈī-ən  ˈī-ˌän 

1

: an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons

2

: a charged subatomic particle (such as a free electron)

Ion

2 of 3

abbreviation

Ionic

-ion

3 of 3

noun suffix

1

a

: act or process

validation

b

: result of an act or process

regulation

2

: state or condition

hydration

Examples of ion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Prior research from Gracheva and colleagues found that hibernating squirrels keep their blood concentrations of ions like salt at consistent levels, about equal to those of active squirrels, by seriously conserving water and sequestering ions elsewhere in the body. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024

The Biden administration earlier this year maintained duties and raised them on certain categories of Chinese products, such as lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024

The mobile ions here are responsible for drumming up Neptune’s magnetic shield. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

Fast lithium ion transfer is ensured by a fast ion conductor coating on the cathode, fast-charging graphite and novel nano-coating technologies for the anode, multi-gradient layered electrode design, and ultra-high conductivity electrolyte formulation. —New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Greek, neuter of iōn, present participle of ienai to go — more at issue entry 1

Noun suffix

French -ion, from Latin -ion-, -io

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ion

• hydrogen ion
• ion channel
• ion engine
• ion exchange
• ion exchange resin
• lithium-ion battery

Kids Definition

ion

1 of 2 noun

ˈī-ən 

ˈī-ˌän

: an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons

-ion

2 of 2 noun suffix

1

a

: act or process

validation

b

: result of an act or process

regulation

2

: state or condition

hydration

Etymology

Noun suffix

derived from Latin -ion (suffix) "act or process"

Medical Definition

ion

noun

ˈī-ən  ˈī-ˌän 

1

: an atom or group of atoms that carries a positive or negative electric charge as a result of having lost or gained one or more electrons see anion, cation

2

: a charged subatomic particle (as a free electron)