cathode

[ kath-ohd ]
/ ˈkæθ oʊd /

noun

the electrode or terminal by which current leaves an electrolytic cell, voltaic cell, battery, etc.
the positive terminal of a voltaic cell or battery.
the negative terminal, electrode, or element of an electron tube or electrolytic cell.

Origin of cathode

1825–35; < Greek káthodos a way down, equivalent to kat- cat- + hodós way

Words nearby cathode

cathetus, cathexis, cathie, cathleen, catho, cathode, cathode dark space, cathode glow, cathode ray, cathode rays, cathode-ray tube

Example sentences from the Web for cathode

British Dictionary definitions for cathode

cathode
/ (ˈkæθəʊd) /

noun

the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell; the electrode by which electrons enter a device from an external circuit
the negatively charged electron source in an electronic valve
the positive terminal of a primary cell
Compare anode

Derived forms of cathode

cathodal (kæˈθəʊdəl), cathodic (kæˈθɒdɪk, -ˈθəʊ-) or cathodical, adjective

Word Origin for cathode

C19: from Greek kathodos a descent, from kata- down + hodos way

Scientific definitions for cathode

cathode
[ kăth′ōd′ ]

The negative electrode in an electrolytic cell, toward which positively charged particles are attracted. The cathode has a negative charge because it is connected to the negatively charged end of an external power supply.
The source of electrons in an electrical device, such as a vacuum tube or diode.
The positive electrode of a voltaic cell, such as a battery. The cathode gets its positive charge from the chemical reaction that happens inside the battery, not from an external source. Compare anode.