# anode

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈæn.əʊd/ · frequency rank #34,377

## Definitions
1. An electrode, of a cell or other electrically polarized device, through which a positive current of electricity flows inwards (and thus, electrons flow outwards). It can have either a positive or a negative voltage with respect to cathode of the same polarized device (depending on whether the device is a load or a source, respectively).
2. (by extension) The electrode at which chemical oxidation of anions takes place, usually resulting in the erosion of metal from the electrode.
3. The electrode which collects electrons emitted by the cathode in a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.
4. That electrode of a semiconductor device which is connected to the p-type material of a p-n junction.

## 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”).

## Easily confused with
- **anon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-anon)
- **ante** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-ante)
- **aside** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-aside)
- **arose** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-arose)
- **awoke** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-awoke)
- **atone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-atone)
- **ANOVA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-anova)
- **anyone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anode-vs-anyone)
- **and** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/and-vs-anode)
- **Andy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/andy-vs-anode)
- **Anne** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anne-vs-anode)
- **aide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aide-vs-anode)
- **aloe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aloe-vs-anode)
- **Ange** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ange-vs-anode)
- **Anda** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anda-vs-anode)
- **Ando** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ando-vs-anode)
- **above** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/above-vs-anode)
- **alone** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alone-vs-anode)
- **angle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/angle-vs-anode)
- **ankle** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ankle-vs-anode)

## Common misspellings (6)
`andoe`, `annode`, `anodde`, `anoed`, `aonde`, `naode`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/anode