cation

or kat·i·on

[ kat-ahy-uhn, -on ]

/ ˈkætˌaɪ ən, -ɒn /

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noun Physical Chemistry.

a positively charged ion that is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis.

any positively charged atom or group of atoms (opposed to anion).

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Origin of cation

1825–35; <Greek katión going down (neuter of katiṓn, present participle of kateînai ), equivalent to kat- cat- + -i- go + -on neuter present participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM cation

cat·i·on·ic

[kat-ahy-on-ik], /ˌkæt aɪˈɒn ɪk/, adjectivecat·i·on·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby cation

catholicus, cathouse, Cathy, Catilinarian, Catiline, cation, cation exchange, cationic detergent, catkin, catlike, Catlin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cation in a sentence

Cations — a word I haven’t heard outside of bonsai since 10th grade chemistry — are positively charged particles that affect your tree’s ability to absorb nutrients from fertilizer.
In praise of tiny trees|Max Falkowitz|December 17, 2021|Vox
And Wiener announced on Thursday her intent to take a “little twit-cation.”
Sex and the Twitter Girl|Jesse Ellison|October 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Bobby wondered if Richard wouldn't grow up before they did, he was so much bigger, and then what would become of his edge-cation?
Bobby in Search of a Birthday|Lebbeus Mitchell
I haven't a doubt but what you'll have a curly-tailed edge-cation all right, Bobby, when the time comes, pigs or no pigs.
Bobby in Search of a Birthday|Lebbeus Mitchell

This is the cli—cli—climax of Eas—Eas—Easter vac—c—c—c—c—cation!
Pee-Wee Harris Adrift|Percy Keese Fitzhugh
The remainder of the molecule, which usually consists of a single atom, is the cation.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson
It will be noticed that in neutralization the anion of the acid and the cation of the base are not changed.
An Elementary Study of Chemistry|William McPherson

British Dictionary definitions for cation

cation

/ (ˈkætaɪən) /

noun

a positively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the cathode during electrolysisCompare anion

Derived forms of cation

cationic (ˌkætaɪˈɒnɪk), adjective

Word Origin for cation

C19: from cata- + ion

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 cation

cation

[ kăt′ī′ən ]

An ion with net positive charge, having more protons than electrons. In electrolysis, cations migrate to a negatively charged cathode. Compare anion.