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  

/ ˈænəʊd /

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

See Examples For:

anode

Named after a 18th century precursor to electric cells, LeydenJar uses a technique known as plasma deposition to make a lighter, more efficient anode – an essential component of all batteries.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

"This is our ambition as well – to have a position where our battery anode is so unique that we have an important position in the supply chain."

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

However, the analyst lowers his 2026-2027 earnings estimates on Press Metal by 3%-5% after revising down aluminum price assumptions and amid higher carbon anode costs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

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

From Science Daily ● Apr. 19, 2026

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