diode
n. countablen. a small electronic part that only lets electricity flow in one direction. It works like a one-way street for power in a circuit.
n. a two-terminal electronic component that conducts current primarily in one direction, characterized by low resistance in one direction and high resistance in the other.
The light-emitting diode on the panel turned red.
A diode is used in the power supply to convert alternating current into direct current by blocking half of the signal.
Modern circuit design relies heavily on the semiconductor diode to protect sensitive components from reverse polarity, ensuring that current flows only along the intended path.
From di- (“two”) + -ode. Learned formation, coined by William Henry Eccles in 1919, after Ancient Greek δίοδος (díodos, “passage through”), which however is formed not with δι- (di-, “two”) but with δια- (dia-, “through”).
Often appears in the compound 'light-emitting diode' (LED).