Meaning & use

anion

noun·Advanced

An ion with a negative electrical charge, formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.

See it in a sentence

Chloride is a common anion found in table salt and seawater.

During the reaction, the anion moved toward the positively charged electrode.

A note on using this word

Anion is the opposite of cation, which carries a positive charge; both terms are used in chemistry and physics.

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “anion”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.