anode

American  

[an-ohd] / ˈæn oʊd /

noun

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

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

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

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anode British  

/ əˈnɒdɪk, ˈænəʊd, eɪˈnəʊdəl /

noun

1. the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell

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

3. the negative terminal of a primary cell Compare cathode

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anode Scientific  

/ ăn′ōd′ /

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

4. Compare cathode

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Other Word Forms

• anodal adjective

Etymology

Origin of anode

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

Compare meaning

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

• anode vs. cathode

Example Sentences

Instead of placing the anode and cathode parallel to each other, the new design positions them perpendicular.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

They include an anode, cathode and electrolyte, but instead of chemical reactions, they rely on bacteria that naturally release electrons.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

Yet, the expansion issue of the larger silicon particles becomes more pronounced during battery operation, posing limitations for its use as an anode material.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2024

The electrolyte within a lithium-ion battery is a crucial component, facilitating the movement of ions between the cathode and anode.

From Science Daily • Feb. 7, 2024

My unexpected success came from using a powerful rotating anode X-ray tube which had just been assembled in the Cavendish.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson