an electron tube for the amplification or generation of microwaves by means of velocity modulation
Word origin
C20 klys-, from Greek klus-, kluzein to wash over, break over + -tron
klystron in American English
(ˈklaɪstrən; ˈklɪstrən; ˈklaɪsˌtrɑn; ˈklɪsˌtrɑn)
noun
an electron tube that uses electric fields and resonant cavities to bunch electrons from a uniform stream, used as an oscillator, amplifier, etc. in ultrahigh frequency circuits, and esp. as a generator and amplifier of microwaves