# cathode

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈkæθ.oʊd/ · frequency rank #27,767

## Definitions
1. 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).
2. The electrode at which chemical reduction of cations takes place, usually resulting in the deposition of metal onto the electrode.
3. The electrode from which electrons are emitted into a vacuum tube or gas-filled tube.
4. 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.

## Common misspellings (10)
`acthode`, `cahtode`, `cathdoe`, `cathhode`, `cathodde`, `cathoed`, `catohde`, `catthode`, `ccathode`, `ctahode`

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