ion
an electrically charged atom or group of atoms formed by the loss or gain of one or more electrons, as a cation (positive ion ), which is created by electron loss and is attracted to the cathode in electrolysis, or as an anion (negative ion ), which is created by an electron gain and is attracted to the anode. The valence of an ion is equal to the number of electrons lost or gained and is indicated by a plus sign for cations and a minus sign for anions, thus: Na+, Cl−, Ca++, S=.
one of the electrically charged particles formed in a gas by electric discharge or the like.
Origin of ion
1Other definitions for Ion (2 of 4)
Classical Mythology. the eponymous ancestor of the Ionians: a son of Apollo and Creusa who is abandoned by his mother but returns to become an attendant in Apollo's temple at Delphi.
(italics) a drama on this subject (415? b.c.) by Euripides.
Other definitions for -ion (3 of 4)
a suffix, appearing in words of Latin origin, denoting action or condition, used in Latin and in English to form nouns from stems of Latin adjectives (communion; union), verbs (legion; opinion), and especially past participles (allusion; creation; fusion; notion; torsion).
Origin of -ion
3Other definitions for Ion. (4 of 4)
Ionic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use ion in a sentence
Added to drinking water at concentrations of around one part per million, fluoride ions stick to dental plaque.
The first system included the ions of staggering profits, skyrocketing healthcare costs and greater cultural visibility.
It will take some time for any cupric ions actually to reach the electrode and be deposited as metallic copper.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius StieglitzOn the anode side, purple permanganate ions are seen rising toward the positive electrode.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius StieglitzThese values may be called the equivalent partial conductivities or mobilities of the ions in this solution.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius Stieglitz
In other words, five hydrogen ions passed to the right, while one chloride ion passed to the left.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius StieglitzThe following table90 gives the limits of the mobilities for gram equivalents of some of the most important ions at 18.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2. | Julius Stieglitz
British Dictionary definitions for ion (1 of 2)
/ (ˈaɪən, -ɒn) /
Origin of ion
1British Dictionary definitions for -ion (2 of 2)
Origin of -ion
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for ion
[ ī′ən, ī′ŏn′ ]
An atom or a group of atoms that has an electric charge. Positive ions, or cations, are formed by the loss of electrons; negative ions, or anions, are formed by the gain of electrons.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for ion
[ (eye-uhn, eye-on) ]
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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