: a binary compound of oxygen with a more electropositive element or group

Examples of oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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China Northern Rare Earth, one of the country’s largest processors linked to the Bayan Obo ecosystem, produced about 95,000 tonnes of rare earth oxides in 2025. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026 The expansion of the only fully licensed and operating conventional uranium processing facility in the United States, will enable the plant to produce heavy rare earth oxides at meaningful volumes. David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxide

Word History

Etymology

French oxide, oxyde, from ox- (from oxygène oxygen) + -ide (from acide acid)

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxide was in 1788

Cite this Entry

“Oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxide. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a compound of oxygen with another element or a chemical group

Medical Definition

: a binary compound of oxygen with a more electropositive element or chemical group

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