electrode

American  

[ih-lek-trohd] / ɪˈlɛk troʊd /

noun

Electricity.

1. a conductor, not necessarily metallic, through which a current enters or leaves a nonmetallic medium, as an electrolytic cell, arc generator, vacuum tube, or gaseous discharge tube.

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electrode British  

/ ɪˈlɛktrəʊd /

noun

1. a conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves an electrolyte, an electric arc, or an electronic valve or tube

2. an element in a semiconducting device that emits, collects, or controls the movement of electrons or holes

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electrode Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trōd′ /

1. A conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves a substance (or a vacuum) whose electrical characteristics are being measured, used, or manipulated. Electrodes can be used to detect electrical activity such as brain waves. Terminal points in electrical components such as transistors, diodes, and batteries are electrodes.

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Other Word Forms

• interelectrode
  noun

Etymology

Origin of electrode

First recorded in 1825–35; electr- + -ode ²

Example Sentences

Sheets of copper and aluminum go through machines that coat electrode slurry.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Because binders are present in such small amounts and lack clear visual signatures, scientists have had difficulty determining exactly where they are located within the electrode.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2026

At the same time, a graphite electrode extracted chloride ions in a process known as electrochemical desalination.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

When tested with pure CO2 gas, the new electrode showed about 40% higher efficiency than existing carbon conversion electrodes under similar laboratory conditions.

From Science Daily • Jan. 29, 2026

One half of the chamber’s interior was occupied by a hollow semicircular electrode shaped like the letter D and known forever more as a “dee.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik