chloride

noun

chlo·​ride ˈklȯr-ˌīd 

1

: a compound of chlorine with another element or group

especially : a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid

2

: a monovalent anion consisting of one atom of chlorine

Examples of chloride in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An infusion of calcium, for example, can activate a cell, and chloride can tamp down cell activity. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026

The metal appears as thallium chloride deposits along the veins inside leaves. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Apr. 2026

In the simplest terms, the drugs essentially turn on the chloride channel, allowing salt and water to move. —Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026

Dissolved solids discharged from geothermal systems include sulfur, chlorides, silica compounds, vanadium, arsenic, mercury, nickel and other toxic heavy metals. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German Chlorid, from chlor- + -id -ide

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chloride

• ammonium chloride
• calcium chloride
• chloride of lime
• cobalt chloride
• ethyl chloride
• ferric chloride
• hydrogen chloride
• magnesium chloride
• mercuric chloride
• mercurous chloride
• mercury chloride
• methylene chloride
• polyvinyl chloride
• potassium chloride
• silver chloride
• sodium chloride
• vinyl chloride
• zinc chloride

Rhymes for chloride

• boride
• amiloride
• hexachloride
• hydrochloride
• oxychloride
• pentachloride
• tetrachloride
• bichloride
• dichloride
• perchloride
• trichloride
• dihydrochloride

Kids Definition

chloride

noun

chlo·​ride ˈklō(ə)r-ˌīd 

ˈklȯ(ə)r-

: a chemical compound of chlorine with another element, group, or substance

Medical Definition

chloride

noun

chlo·​ride ˈklō(ə)r-ˌīd, ˈklȯ(ə)r- 

1

: a compound of chlorine with another element or radical

especially : a salt or ester of hydrochloric acid

called also muriate

2

: a monovalent anion consisting at one atom of chlorine