triode science definition

An electron tube used mostly for signal amplification, consisting of a cathode and anode (or plate ) as in a diode , and an intervening wire mesh called the control grid . With little voltage on the grid, large currents can flow between the cathode and plate, but small variations in the voltage on the grid cause large variations in this current, allowing for large amplification of a signal applied to the control grid. See also pentode, tetrode.