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.

---

fuel cell British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of fuel cell

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Researchers led by Northwestern University have developed a fuel cell that generates electricity using microbes naturally found in soil.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

For fuel cell leader Bloom Energy, GE Vernova’s entrance is a mixed blessing.

From Barron's • Dec. 16, 2025

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

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

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir