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

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

But radio tubes and a large dry cell were not homemade�someone had smuggled them in.

From Time Magazine Archive

Take the armature off the motor and connect the commutator wires to a dry cell battery.

From Electricity for the 4-H Scientist Idaho Agricultural Extension Service Bulletin 396, June, 1962 by Wilson, Eric B.