cathode

American  

[kath-ohd] / ˈkæθ oʊd /

noun

1. the electrode or terminal by which current leaves an electrolytic cell, voltaic cell, battery, etc.

2. the positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.

3. the negative terminal, electrode, or element of an electron tube or electrolytic cell.

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cathode British  

/ kæˈθɒdɪk, -ˈθəʊ-, ˈkæθəʊd, kæˈθəʊdəl /

noun

1. the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell; the electrode by which electrons enter a device from an external circuit

2. the negatively charged electron source in an electronic valve

3. the positive terminal of a primary cell

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cathode Scientific  

/ kăth′ōd′ /

1. The negative electrode in an electrolytic cell, toward which positively charged particles are attracted. The cathode has a negative charge because it is connected to the negatively charged end of an external power supply.

2. The source of electrons in an electrical device, such as a vacuum tube or diode.

3. The positive electrode of a voltaic cell, such as a battery. The cathode gets its positive charge from the chemical reaction that happens inside the battery, not from an external source.

4. Compare anode

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Other Word Forms

• cathodal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cathode

1825–35; < Greek káthodos a way down, equivalent to kat- cat- ( def. ) + hodós way

Compare meaning

How does cathode compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• anode vs. cathode

Example Sentences

Cathode material today is produced almost entirely in Asia, but that’s about to change.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

Cathode material, made from processed nickel, lithium and other materials, represents about 40% of the cost of a battery cell, according to the company.

From Reuters • Jul. 26, 2022

This week he’s chatting about "Cold War" with Frank Collins, who edits Cathode Ray Tube.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2013

And Dr. Coolidge had replied, saying that he would present himself for the reward, and at the same time submit a demonstration called: "A Method of Producing High Voltage Cathode Rays Outside the Generating Tube."

From Time Magazine Archive

Cathode rays had finally proved the key to the riddle.

From Spawn of the Comet by Rich, H. Thompson (Harold Thompson)