electrolyte
noun
elec·tro·lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt 
1
: a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions
2
a
: a substance that when dissolved in a suitable solvent or when fused becomes an ionic conductor
b
: any of the ions (as of sodium or calcium) that in biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (such as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells)
Example Sentences
The drink will replenish your electrolytes.
Recent Examples on the Web Electrochromic windows typically feature five layers overall, including two layers that serve as electrodes (like the positive and negative poles of a battery) and an inner electrolyte layer that contains ions. 
Brittney J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2022 The batteries are shredded, and their packaging material is removed for recycling; so is the liquid electrolyte that enables the flow of electric current. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2022 These groups often experience electrolyte disturbances. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 20 May 2022 Solid-state batteries don’t have a liquid electrolyte and, thus, will be lighter, store more energy and charge faster. New York Times, 7 Mar. 2022 Energy gels and Nuun electrolyte tablets every hour. WSJ, 5 Mar. 2022 Macfarlane has a startup company, Jupiter Ionics, aiming to do the trick with a cell that makes use of a similar electrolyte to that in a lithium battery. Nicola Jones, Wired, 5 Feb. 2022 Magnesium—a muscle-relaxing electrolyte that your body uses to make melatonin—may potentially help support sleep, although there's even less research on it than melatonin. Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 7 Feb. 2022 Brown’s legislation would allow individual volunteer fire departments to do the following: Purchase electrolyte replacement or sports drinks, water, and similar liquids for use during a fire call or during training. John Sharp, al, 30 Dec. 2021 See More
Brittney J. Miller, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2022 The batteries are shredded, and their packaging material is removed for recycling; so is the liquid electrolyte that enables the flow of electric current. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 26 May 2022 These groups often experience electrolyte disturbances. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 20 May 2022 Solid-state batteries don’t have a liquid electrolyte and, thus, will be lighter, store more energy and charge faster. New York Times, 7 Mar. 2022 Energy gels and Nuun electrolyte tablets every hour. WSJ, 5 Mar. 2022 Macfarlane has a startup company, Jupiter Ionics, aiming to do the trick with a cell that makes use of a similar electrolyte to that in a lithium battery. Nicola Jones, Wired, 5 Feb. 2022 Magnesium—a muscle-relaxing electrolyte that your body uses to make melatonin—may potentially help support sleep, although there's even less research on it than melatonin. Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 7 Feb. 2022 Brown’s legislation would allow individual volunteer fire departments to do the following: Purchase electrolyte replacement or sports drinks, water, and similar liquids for use during a fire call or during training. John Sharp, al, 30 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1834, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
electrolyte
noun
elec·tro·lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt
1
: a substance (as an acid or salt) that when dissolved (as in water) conducts an electric current
2
: a substance (as sodium or calcium) that is an ion in the body regulating the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells
Medical Definition
electrolyte
noun
elec·tro·lyte i-ˈlek-trə-ˌlīt
1
: a nonmetallic electric conductor in which current is carried by the movement of ions
2
a
: a substance (as an acid, base, or salt) that when dissolved in a suitable solvent (as water) or when fused becomes an ionic conductor
b
: any of the ions (as of sodium, potassium, calcium, or bicarbonate) that in a biological fluid regulate or affect most metabolic processes (as the flow of nutrients into and waste products out of cells) —used especially in biology and biochemistry