anode

[ an-ohd ]

/ ˈæn oʊd /

Save This Word!

noun

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

the negative terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.

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

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of anode

1825–35; <Greek ánodos way up, equivalent to an-an-³ + hodós way, road

Words nearby anode

anobiid, anococcygeal, anococcygeal nerve, anocracy, anocutaneous line, anode, anode dark space, anode glow, anode resistance, anodic, anodize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use anode in a sentence

In a cylindrical cell, long sheet-like anodes, separators, and cathodes are sandwiched, rolled up, and packed into a cylinder-shaped can.
Here’s what Tesla will put in its new batteries|Scott K. Johnson|September 24, 2020|Ars Technica
The cathode and anode sheets each have one skinny “tab” that connects to the positive and negative terminals of the battery can.
Here’s what Tesla will put in its new batteries|Scott K. Johnson|September 24, 2020|Ars Technica
They can stab the separator that keeps the anode and the cathode apart.
Batteries should not burst into flames|Carolyn Wilke|April 16, 2020|Science News For Students
By replacing a graphite anode with lithium metal, the battery might be able to hold five to 10 times more charge.
Batteries should not burst into flames|Carolyn Wilke|April 16, 2020|Science News For Students

To make a more powerful battery, Dasgupta’s team and others are looking to change the anode.
Batteries should not burst into flames|Carolyn Wilke|April 16, 2020|Science News For Students
On the anode side, purple permanganate ions are seen rising toward the positive electrode.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz
The plate where the current goes in, the anode, A (Fig. 247), loses in weight since some of the silver is dissolved.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
It is best to use a fine silver anode, so that the solution, does not get contaminated by copper.
On Laboratory Arts|Richard Threlfall
If the area of the cathode exceeds that of the anode the solution is said to grow weaker, and vice versa.
On Laboratory Arts|Richard Threlfall
As the masses grow towards the anode the defect naturally tends to increase of itself, hence the necessity for care.
On Laboratory Arts|Richard Threlfall

British Dictionary definitions for anode

anode

/ (ˈænəʊd) /

noun

the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell

Also called (esp US): plate the positively charged electrode in an electronic valve

the negative terminal of a primary cellCompare cathode

Derived forms of anode

anodal (eɪˈnəʊdəl) or anodic (əˈnɒdɪk), adjective

Word Origin for anode

C19: from Greek anodos a way up, from hodos a way; alluding to the movement of the current to or from the positive pole

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for anode

anode

[ ăn′ōd′ ]

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

The positively charged element of an electrical device, such as a vacuum tube or a diode, to which electrons are attracted.

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