electrolyte

[ih-lek-truh-lahyt]

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.

Origin of electrolyte

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

Related formsnon·e·lec·tro·lyte, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for electrolyte

Historical Examples of electrolyte

With a specific gravity of 1.150, the electrolyte freezes at about 5° above zero.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte
This sulphate settles if the electrolyte is allowed to stand.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte
Some jars have a line or mark showing the proper height of the electrolyte.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte
As the electrolyte freezes, the water of the electrolyte expands.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte
Do not start the charge until at least 12 hours after filling with electrolyte.
The Automobile Storage Battery
O. A. Witte

British Dictionary definitions for electrolyte

electrolyte

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

Word Origin and History for electrolyte

"substance decomposed by electrolysis," 1834, from electro- + Greek lytos "loosed," from lyein "to loose" (see lose).

electrolyte in Medicine

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.

electrolyte in Science

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.

electrolyte in Culture

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.