electrolyte

[ ih-lek-truh-lahyt ]

/ ɪˈlɛk trəˌlaɪt /

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noun

Physical Chemistry.

Also called electrolytic conductor . a conducting medium in which the flow of current is accompanied by the movement of matter in the form of ions.
any substance that dissociates into ions when dissolved in a suitable medium or melted and thus forms a conductor of electricity.

Physiology. any of certain inorganic compounds, mainly sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate, that dissociate in biological fluids into ions capable of conducting electrical currents and constituting a major force in controlling fluid balance within the body.

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Origin of electrolyte

First recorded in 1825–35; electro- + -lyte¹

OTHER WORDS FROM electrolyte

non·e·lec·tro·lyte, noun

Words nearby electrolyte

electroless plating, electrologist, electroluminescence, electrolyse, electrolysis, electrolyte, electrolyte balance, electrolytic, electrolytic capacitor, electrolytic cell, electrolytic dissociation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for electrolyte

Oxygen from the air enters the cathode, where the gas reacts with water from the electrolyte to form hydroxide.
Zinc-air batteries are typically single-use. A new design could change that|Maria Temming|January 5, 2021|Science News
The combination of electrolytes, minerals, a single gram of sugar, and caffeine helps give me the boost I need to recover and finish out the day’s work.
I've Tried Many Workout Drinks. Nuun Is the Best.|Will Taylor|December 17, 2020|Outside Online
Its technology is a partially solid-state battery, meaning that it uses a solid electrolyte instead of the liquid that most batteries rely on to promote the movement of charged atoms through the device.
This super-energy-dense battery could nearly double the range of electric vehicles|James Temple|December 8, 2020|MIT Technology Review
These newer batteries are lightweight and safer as they have a lower chance of leaking electrolytes.
Best smartwatch: Five things to consider|Eric Alt|November 28, 2020|Popular Science

So researchers around the world have been experimenting with batteries that use a solid electrolyte instead, with a particular eye on using them in electric vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz’s newest electric city bus uses solid-state batteries|Jonathan M. Gitlin|September 30, 2020|Ars Technica
Hot chemicals—vaporized electrolyte—had left a trail of toxic residue in the electronics bay.
NTSB Doesn’t Think the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Is Safe Enough to Fly|Clive Irving|May 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was “vaporized electrolyte which looks like smoke but is not the result of combustion.”
The Dreamliner Will Fly Again, But Is Boeing Still Blowing Smoke?|Clive Irving|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
These ions bearing electric charges are believed to be the carriers of the electric current through the electrolyte.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
In these cells, the same plates and electrolyte are used without change for extended periods, sometimes for a number of years.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
The plates or other objects by which the current enters or leaves the electrolyte are called the electrodes.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
(b) The electrical energy used in charging the plates costs less than the plates and electrolyte of voltaic cells.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower
(c) Charging storage cells takes much less labor than replacing the electrolyte and plates of voltaic cells.
Physics|Willis Eugene Tower

British Dictionary definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

/ (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌlaɪt) /

noun

a solution or molten substance that conducts electricity

a chemical compound that dissociates in solution into ions
any of the ions themselves

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

Medical definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

[ ĭ-lĕk′trə-līt′ ]

n.

A chemical compound that ionizes when dissolved or molten to produce an electrically conductive medium.

Any of various ions, such as sodium or chloride, required by cells to regulate the electric charge and flow of water molecules across the cell membrane.

Scientific definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

[ ĭ-lĕk′trə-līt′ ]

A melted or dissolved compound that has broken apart into ions (anions and cations). Applying an electric field across an electrolyte causes the anions and cations to move in opposite directions, thereby conducting electrical current while gradually separating the ions. See also electrodialysis electrolysis.

Any of these ions found in body fluids. Electrolytes are needed by cells to regulate the flow of water molecules across cell membranes.

Cultural definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

[ (i-lek-truh-leyet) ]

A substance that can serve as a conductor for an electric current (see also current) when it is dissolved in a solution. Electrolytes are found in the blood and tissue fluids of the body.

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electrolyte

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Origin of electrolyte

OTHER WORDS FROM electrolyte

Words nearby electrolyte

Example sentences from the Web for electrolyte

British Dictionary definitions for electrolyte

noun

Medical definitions for electrolyte

n.

Scientific definitions for electrolyte

Cultural definitions for electrolyte