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Definition of anion

anion

/ˈæn.aɪ.ən/
an · ion
Plural:anions
•
Adjective:anionic
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anion Lexical Profile

anion Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A negatively charged ion, specifically one that migrates toward the positively charged anode during electrolysis because it has more electrons than protons.

Example

"When table salt dissolves in water, it dissociates into a sodium cation and a chloride anion."

Antonyms
View all antonyms for anion

Word Nuance & Usage

Often paired or confused with 'cation' (a positively charged ion). A helpful mnemonic is that an 'anion' is 'A Negative ION'.

• Rhymes for anion

• Nearby Words

animatronics
anime
animosity
anion
anise
aniseed
anita

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1834 by the English polymath William Whewell and introduced by physicist Michael Faraday, from Ancient Greek 'anion' meaning 'thing going up', referring to its movement toward the anode during electrolysis.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anion. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anion
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