Meaning & use
ion
An atom or molecule that has an electric charge because it has gained or lost electrons.
See it in a sentence
Table salt dissolves in water into sodium and chloride ions.
Negative ions in the air near waterfalls are often said to improve people's mood.
A note on using this word
A positively charged ion is called a cation; a negatively charged one is called an anion.
Words with a similar meaning
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