text: The anode of a diode is the positive terminal connected to the p-doped silicon.  It is where you would hook the positive voltage in order to forward bias it (or the negative voltage in order to reverse bias it).\n\nThe cathode of a diode is the negative terminal hooked to the n-doped silicon.\n\nAlso, the word "cathode" is used for vacuum tubes; the cathode emits electrons and they land on the plate.  (such as in a cathode ray tube or CRT)