dry cell

American  

noun

Electricity.

1. a cell in which the electrolyte exists in the form of a paste, is absorbed in a porous medium, or is otherwise restrained from flowing.

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dry cell British  

noun

1. a primary cell in which the electrolyte is in the form of a paste or is treated in some way to prevent it from spilling Compare wet cell

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dry cell Scientific  

1. A galvanic electric cell, such as a flashlight battery, in which the chemicals in the electrolyte are made into a paste so that they cannot easily spill from their container.

2. Compare wet cell

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Etymology

Origin of dry cell

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dry cell

The other technological advances exhibited at the turn of the century included the diesel engine, "talking" films, dry cell batteries and the Paris Metro.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2023

An alkaline battery can deliver about three to five times the energy of a zinc-carbon dry cell of similar size.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

A child’s electronic toy is supplied by three 1.58-V alkaline cells having internal resistances of 0.0200 Ω in series with a 1.53-V carbon-zinc dry cell having a 0.100-Ω internal resistance.

From Textbooks ● Aug. 12, 2015

The new battery combines the compactness of a dry cell with the greater power of a storage battery.

From Time Magazine Archive

A dry cell is shown at A in Fig, 19.

From The Radio Amateur's Hand Book by Collins, A. Frederick (Archie Frederick)