fuel cell

American  

noun

1. a device that produces a continuous electric current directly from the oxidation of a fuel, as that of hydrogen by oxygen.

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fuel cell British  

noun

1. a cell in which the energy produced by oxidation of a fuel is converted directly into electrical energy

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fuel cell Scientific  

1. A device that produces electricity by combining a fuel, usually hydrogen, with oxygen. In this reaction, electrons are freed from the hydrogen in the fuel cell by a catalyst, and gain energy from the chemical reaction binding hydrogen and oxygen; this provides a source for electric current. The exhaust of hydrogen fuel cells consists simply of water. Fuel cells are currently used in spacecraft, and increasingly in ground transportation, with potential use everywhere electricity is required.

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fuel cell Cultural  

1. An electrochemical device where a chemical reaction produces energy that is converted directly into electricity. Once used primarily in space travel, fuel cells are now being considered for use in cars. Unlike internal-combustion engines, fuel cells do not pollute the environment.

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Etymology

Origin of fuel cell

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Some analysts see the fuel cell business as an intriguing new opportunity for GE Vernova—though not one they can bake into the company’s earnings yet.

From Barron's • Dec. 16, 2025

One technology attracting significant attention is the solid-oxide fuel cell, or SOFC.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2025

Having traditionally been regarded as value or dividend plays, utility stocks are suddenly being treated like growth stocks and fuel cell and hydrogen energy storage.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025

Fewer than 2% are zero-emission, and they include 332 electric trucks and 51 hydrogen fuel cell trucks.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

And each fuel cell has only a small amount of H2 anyway.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir