One of three main types of cells that take part in corrosion reactions. The other two types of cells are: concentration cells and differential temperature cells.

Examples of dissimilar electrode cells include: the dry cell, a metal containing electrically conducting impurities on the surface as a separate phase, a copper pipe connected to an iron pipe, and a bronze propeller in contact with the steel hull of a ship. Dissimilar electrode cells also include cold-worked metal in contact with the same metal annealed, grain-boundary metal in contact with grains, and a single metal crystal of definite orientation in contact with another crystal of different orientation.