Word
anode
Phoneticsan·ode
US/ˈæˌnoʊd/
UK/ˈænəʊd/
Definitions
01electrical terminal
n. the part of a battery or electronic component where electricity flows in.
n. the electrode of a device through which positive electric current flows inwards, corresponding to the terminal where electrons flow out.
“In this experiment, the copper wire is connected to the anode of the battery.”
“The technician carefully inspected the anode for signs of corrosion, as any buildup would impede the flow of current through the circuit.”
Technical
Usage
Usually functions as a countable noun in scientific descriptions.
Antonyms
02chemistry/oxidation
n. the part of a chemical cell where a metal loses electrons and might slowly wear away.
n. the electrode at which oxidation occurs in an electrochemical cell, often resulting in the erosion of the metal electrode.
“The zinc anode slowly dissolved as the chemical reaction powered the light.”
“During electrolysis, anions migrate toward the anode where they lose electrons and undergo chemical oxidation.”
Technical
Teaching tip
Learners often confuse anode and cathode; remember that 'anode' and 'oxidation' both start with vowels.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Silicon is a highly effective and cheap material to use in anodes, but pure silicon expands and contracts as the battery operates and is recharged, which causes it to crack.” “The firm's next goal is to develop new anodes for US-produced sodium ion cells.” Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἀνα- (ana-, “up”) and ὁδός (hodós, “path”), forming the New Greek compound ἄνοδος (ánodos). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year. By surface analysis, an- (“up, forward, away”) + -ode (“way”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/anode