diode

noun

di·​ode ˈdī-ˌōd How to pronounce diode (audio)
: an electronic device that has two electrodes or terminals and is used especially as a rectifier

Examples of diode in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My blue diode laser cutter isn't that fast, not even on cardstock. — New Atlas, 29 Jan. 2026 The Ghoul, in possession of the cold fusion diode, uses it to power New Vegas, thus awakening the digital House. — Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Feb. 2026 However, that base price only gets you a version of the machine with a 10W laser diode capable of cutting over 300 thinner materials. — Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 27 May 2026 CurrentBody went all in on pure laser diodes, which penetrate the scalp more deeply and effectively than LEDs alone, according to a 2020 study. — Polly Blitzer, Allure, 6 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for diode

Word History

Etymology

di- + -ode

Note: The term was originated by the British physicist William Henry Eccles (1875-1966) in the journal The Electrician, vol. 82, no.16 (April 18, 1919), p. 475.

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of diode was in 1919

Phrases Containing diode

Rhymes for diode

See All Rhymes for diode

Browse Nearby Words

dioctyl phthalate
diode
Diodia
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Cite this Entry

“Diode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diode. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

diode

noun
di·​ode ˈdī-ˌōd How to pronounce diode (audio)
: an electronic device with two electrodes that is used especially for changing alternating current into direct current

More from Merriam-Webster on diode

Nglish: Translation of diode for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diode

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