Definition of cathode Cathode

/kæˈθowˌd/ - [kathowd] - cath•ode

We found 12 definitions of cathode from 7 different sources.

What does cathode mean?

Noun Plural: cathodes
cathode - a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device
		anode a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
		electrode a conductor used to make electrical contact with some part of a circuit
		electrolytic cell a cell containing an electrolyte in which an applied voltage causes a reaction to occur that would not occur otherwise (such as the breakdown of water into hydrogen and oxygen)
		electron tube, thermionic tube, thermionic vacuum tube, thermionic valve, vacuum tube, tube conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
		cold cathode a cathode that is a source of electrons without being heated
cathode - the positively charged terminal of a voltaic cell or storage battery that supplies current
		depot, terminal, terminus station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
		storage battery, accumulator a voltaic battery that stores electric charge
		galvanic cell, primary cell, voltaic cell an electric cell that generates an electromotive force by an irreversible conversion of chemical to electrical energy; cannot be recharged

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

cathode (Noun)
The electrode of an electrochemical cell at which reduction occurs.
cathode (Noun)
The electrode through which current flows out of a device or cell.
cathode (Noun)
Considered incorrect usage by some the terminal through which current flows out of a diode when current is in the forward direction regardless of the direction the current is actually flowing.

cathode (n.)
The part of a voltaic battery by which the electric current leaves substances through which it passes, or the surface at which the electric current passes out of the electrolyte; the negative pole; -- opposed to anode.

cathode
kath-ōd′, n. the negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery, as opposed to anode: the surface in contact with the negative pole: the object to be coated in electroplating—adj. Cath′odal. [Gr. kathodos, a going down, kata, down, hodos, a way.]

A cathode is an electrode through which positive electric current flows out of a polarized electrical device. In other words, a cathode is negative electrode. An electrode through which current flows the other way into the device is termed an anode.

In physics, chemistry or electronics, a cathode is an electrode that emits electrons into the device. Reduction occurs at the cathode in an electrolyte, which electricity can pass through.