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Rectifying AC to DC is one way to use diodes, but as a fundamental device, it can have many uses...

At it's most basic, a diode is just a "one way check-valve" for current... So within a DC circuit, it will allow current to flow in one direction (forward biased), but not flow in the other (reverse biased). At the same time, due to it's construction there will be a small voltage drop when current is flowing through it ( forward biased ). It's this voltage drop you're looking for if you choose this method of supply voltage reduction.

So if you put 1 or 2 of them in series with your voltage source, and in the forward biased direction, DC current will still flow, but each diode will drop the voltage by a little bit, depending on the specific device ( often "first order" approximated as about 0.7V per diode drop, depending on the type and specific diode device).

A nice side effect is that used this way, a diode will also serve as simple reverse voltage protection, since they will block current through them in the reverse direction ( such as might happen if you accidently reverse the connected battery connectors.... although, you should probably be using a polarized connector :-D )?

Have fun! Wayde VA3NCA