ion Hear it!

ion definition

ion (ī′ən, -än′)

noun

an electrically charged atom or group of atoms, the electrical charge of which results when a neutral atom or group of atoms loses or gains one or more electrons during chemical reactions, by the action of certain forms of radiant energy, etc.: the loss of electrons results in a positively charged ion (cation), the gain of electrons in a negatively charged ion (anion)

Etymology: arbitrary use (by Michael Faraday) of Gr ion, neut. of iōn, prp. of ienai, to go < IE base *wei-, to go, chase after > L via, way

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.