electrolyte
Physical Chemistry.
Also called e·lec·tro·lyt·ic con·duc·tor [ih-lek-truh-lit-ik kuhn-duhk-ter] /ɪˌlɛk trəˈlɪt ɪk kənˈdʌk tər/ . 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
1Other words from electrolyte
- non·e·lec·tro·lyte, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for electrolyte
/ (ɪˈlɛktrəʊˌlaɪt) /
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
Scientific definitions for 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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for electrolyte
[ (i-lek-truh-leyet) ]
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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