1. Removing excess metal by electrolytic dissolution, effected by the tool acting as the cathode against the workpiece acting as the anode.
2. An electrochemical process, similar to electroplating, in which the workpiece acts as an anode and the tool as a cathode.
3. A metal-cutting process that is the reverse of electroplating.

A low DC voltage is applied between the workpiece and a tool having the shape of the desired cut, and saltwater or some other electrolyte is pumped at high pressure through the gap between the workpiece and the tool.

Electrochemical action in the gap erodes metal from the workpiece.

4. A process to produce metallic objects with a technique that is essentially precision electrodissolution (dissolving of a substance from an electrode by electrolysis).

One of the advantages of this production technique is that very complicated shapes can be produced with a single operation from very hard alloys that would be very difficult, if not impossible, to machine with any other metal cutting technique.

Some typical applications are the production of turbine blades and the drilling of holes with very large depth-to-diameter ratio.