triode

[trahy-ohd]

noun

Electronics.

1. a vacuum tube containing three elements, usually anode, cathode, and control grid.

triode

/ ˈtraɪəʊd /

noun

1. an electronic valve having three electrodes, a cathode, an anode, and a grid, the potential of the grid controlling the flow of electrons between the cathode and anode. It has been replaced by the transistor

2. any electronic device, such as a thyratron, having three electrodes

triode

1. An electron tube used mostly for signal amplification, consisting of a cathode and anode (or plate) as in a diode, and an intervening wire mesh called the control grid. With little voltage on the grid, large currents can flow between the cathode and plate, but small variations in the voltage on the grid cause large variations in this current, allowing for large amplification of a signal applied to the control grid.

2. See also pentode tetrode

Word History and Origins

Origin of triode¹

First recorded in 1920–25; tri- + (electr)ode

Word History and Origins

Origin of triode¹

C20: _tri- + _electrode

Example Sentences

He bought a triode valve called 'MICRO' and was told it had an amplification factor of 7.

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The kit consisted of a bright emitter triode in an oscillating circuit.

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The transmitter was of French manufacture and consisted of two enormous triodes in a Hartley oscillator circuit.

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Numerous important inventions such as the crystal detector, the oscillating valve, the triode valve—have been due to private or amateur work.

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