bromine

noun

bro·​mine ˈbrō-ˌmēn 

: a nonmetallic chemical element of the halogen group that is used especially in the production of flame retardants and formerly in gasoline additives and medicines (such as bromides) see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of bromine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The largest sources of bromine come from the Dead Sea or within the United States. —Kat Friedrich, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024

How Pool Water Affects Your Skin Chlorine and other pool disinfectants, such as bromine, ozone, ultraviolet lamps (UV), and salt electrolysis, can affect the skin and hair.4 Sometimes, pool disinfection treatments can irritate your skin and eyes or dry out or discolor your hair. —William Truswell, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2024

End of carousel The vegetable oil is modified with bromine, a natural chemical element that can be used as an alternative to chlorine in swimming pools and is often used as a fire retardant. —Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

Lithium is a key ingredient in electric-car batteries, and bromine is used in flame retardants. —John Dorfman, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023

Word History

Etymology

French brome bromine + English -ine entry 2

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bromine

noun

bro·​mine ˈbrō-ˌmēn 

: an element that is a deep red liquid that has two atoms per molecule, gives off an irritating reddish brown vapor of disagreeable odor, and tends to eat into other matter see element

Medical Definition

bromine

noun

bro·​mine ˈbrō-ˌmēn 

: a nonmetallic halogen element that is isolated as a deep red corrosive toxic fuming liquid of disagreeable odor

—symbol Br see Chemical Elements Table