a negatively charged ion; an ion that is attracted to the anode during electrolysis
Compare cation
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
an•i•on
(an′ī′ən),USA pronunciation n. [Physical Chem.]
an•i•on•ic
(an′ī on′ik),USA pronunciation adj.
an′i•on′i•cal•ly, adv.
- Chemistrya negatively charged ion, as one attracted to the anode in electrolysis.
- Chemistryany negatively charged atom or group of atoms (opposed to cation).
- Greek, neuter of anió̄n going up (present participle of aniénai to go up), equivalent. to an- an-3 + -i- go + -ōn present participle suffix
- 1825–35;
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
'anion' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
an
- anionic detergent
- carbanion
- cation
- diazonium salt
- electron
- hydroxide ion
- ion
- mercurate
- oxysalt
- polarography