cathode

noun

cath·​ode ˈka-ˌthōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs:
a
: the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell
b
: the positive terminal of a galvanic cell
2
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube
broadly : the negative electrode of a diode compare anode
cathodal adjective
cathodally adverb
cathodic adjective
cathodically adverb

Examples of cathode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Current thinking in battery design suggests charging at this speed requires thin anodes and cathodes and thus less capacity. Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The key component is cellulose, which acts as a natural medium for ion transfer between the node and cathode. Pcmag Staff, PCMAG, 9 Jan. 2025 While research on anode and cathode chemistries has exploded—with more than 200,000 scientific papers published in the past decade—the electrolyte field has been largely underserved, with fewer than 20,000 studies. Matthew Dawson, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 The decrease is attributed to a decline in sales of cathode materials and precursors. Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cathode

Word History

Etymology

Greek kathodos way down, from kata- + hodos way

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cathode was in 1834

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cathode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cathode. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

cathode

noun
cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the negative electrode of an electrolytic cell compare anode sense 1
2
: the positive terminal of a battery
3
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube
cathodic adjective

Medical Definition

cathode

noun
cath·​ode ˈkath-ˌōd How to pronounce cathode (audio)
1
: the electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs: as
a
: the negative terminal of an electrolytic cell
b
: the positive terminal of a storage battery that is delivering current
2
: the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube compare anode

More from Merriam-Webster on cathode

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