Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

cathode

/ˈkæθ.oʊd/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.03 in modern English

Syllables
cath-ode
IPA
/ˈkæθ.oʊd/
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows outwards (and thus, electrons flow inwards). It can have either a negative or a positive voltage with respect to anode of the same polarized device (depending on whether the device is a load or a source, respectively).

noun

The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.

noun

The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.

noun

That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the n-type material of a p-n junction.

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κατα- (kata-, “down”) and ὁδός (hodós, “journey, way”), equivalent to Ancient Greek κάθοδος (káthodos, “way down, descent”). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year. By surface analysis, cath- (alternative form of cata-) + -ode.

Word Breakdown

Subject

Wiktionary places this term in Chemistry.

Inflected Forms

cathodes (plural) kathode (alternative, archaic)

Derived Forms

anticathode biocathode cascode cathodal cathodic cathodograph cathodoluminescence cathodoluminescent catholyte microcathode multicathode photocathode

Phrases

cathode dark space cathode ray cathode-ray tube cold cathode cold-cathode fluorescent lamp cold-cathode lamp cold-cathode light cold-cathode tube

Frequently Paired Words

cation

Antonyms

anode

Questions

How do you pronounce cathode?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkæθ.oʊd/.
What does cathode mean?
An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows outwards (and thus, electrons flow inwards). It can have either a negative or a positive voltage with respect to anode of the same polarized device (depending on whether the device is a load or a source, respectively).
Where does cathode come from?
From Ancient Greek κατα- (kata-, “down”) and ὁδός (hodós, “journey, way”), equivalent to Ancient Greek κάθοδος (káthodos, “way down, descent”). Coined by English polymath William Whewell in 1834 for Michael Faraday, who introduced it later that year. By surface analysis, cath- (alternative form of cata-) + -ode.

How to pronounce cathode

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “cathode”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkæθ.oʊd/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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