ion

Everyday

1. (science) An atom or a small group of atoms that has an electric charge because it has gained or lost one or more electrons. tree →
2. A positive ion has lost electrons; a negative ion has gained electrons. tree →
3. Ion is also a boy's name, as in old Greek stories. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons ions explain how salt dissolves in water, how batteries work and why salty water conducts electricity. In everyday adverts you hear about «lithium-ion batteries» in phones and laptops. Phrases: positive ion, negative ion, lithium-ion battery, sodium ion.

Examples

• Salt is made of sodium ions and chloride ions. tree →
• A lithium-ion battery powers my tablet. tree →
• An ion has an electric charge. tree →
• When an atom loses an electron, it becomes a positive ion. tree →
• Salty water conducts electricity because it contains ions. tree →
• Our science teacher drew the ions as little circles with plus and minus signs. tree →
• Some air purifiers claim to release negative ions. tree →
• Ion's suspicions at once fell upon the obsequious servant of Creusa, who with such officious attention had filled his cup. tree →

Note

Countable: an ion, ions; «an», because it begins with a vowel sound. Pronounced EYE-on (two syllables). The word is also a suffix in many words (-ion: action, creation), but alone it is the science word. Claims that «negative ions» make you healthier are mostly advertising, not proven science.

In Jewish tradition

In science lessons ions explain how salt dissolves in water, how batteries work and why salty water conducts electricity. In everyday adverts you hear about «lithium-ion batteries» in phones and laptops. Phrases: positive ion, negative ion, lithium-ion battery, sodium ion.

Note

Countable: an ion, ions; «an», because it begins with a vowel sound. Pronounced EYE-on (two syllables). The word is also a suffix in many words (-ion: action, creation), but alone it is the science word. Claims that «negative ions» make you healthier are mostly advertising, not proven science.