anode

The term describes a specific functional role in an electrochemical cell rather than a fixed electrical charge. It is defined by the direction of ion flow and oxidation, making it a technical term used almost exclusively in chemistry, physics, and electrical engineering. In a battery being discharged, the anode is the negative terminal where oxidation occurs. Conversely, in an electrolytic cell, the anode is the positive terminal. This distinction is vital for engineers to avoid catastrophic polarity reversals during assembly.