electrolyte

noun

elec·​tro·​lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt 

1

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

2

a

: 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

All of them were using electrolyte formulas missing crucial elements (namely depolarizers) that prevented chain reactions and gas build-up, leading to bulging, popping, leaking, and otherwise failing boards. —Kevin Purdy, Ars Technica, 20 Mar. 2025

The Call Her Daddy podcast host launched the drink at the top of the year, and now Amazon shoppers can load up on the electrolyte beverage. —Shalwah Evans, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025

This method of producing the metal involves combining iron ore with an electrolyte in a reactor and then using electricity instead of coke to heat the mix to about 1,600 °C (2,900 °F). —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 13 Mar. 2025

There’s also an uptick in hospitalizations from kidney problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and electrolyte imbalances. —Ula Chrobak, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for electrolyte

• actinolite
• adipocyte
• amphibolite
• anorthosite
• anthophyllite
• aragonite
• carbonatite
• cassiterite
• cristobalite
• crocidolite
• diatomite
• dithionite

Kids Definition

electrolyte

noun

elec·​tro·​lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt 

1

: a conductor in which electric current is carried by the movement of ions that are not metallic

2

a

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

b

: an ion (as of sodium) that regulates or affects metabolic processes of the body (as the movement of waste products out of a cell)

Medical Definition

electrolyte

noun

elec·​tro·​lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt 

1

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

2

a

: 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