chlorine

noun chlo·rine \ ˈklȯr-ˌēn , -ən \

Updated on: 9 May 2018

Definition of chlorine

: a halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish-yellow diatomic gas of pungent odor and is used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification — see Chemical Elements Table

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Recent Examples of chlorine from the Web

No casualties were reported as a result of the raid, which was a response to the regime’s suspected use of chlorine and sarin on civilians in the town of Douma, killing dozens of people.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 19 Apr. 2018
Clearly, the Assad kept some of his stockpile, and continued to use chemicals with non-military uses — like chlorine, which can cause respiratory problems — on his people.

— alex ward, Vox, "How Obama’s “red line” fiasco led to Trump bombing Syria," 15 Apr. 2018
Six months earlier, the same company had an equipment failure that resulted in the release of chlorine into the air.

— sara sneath, NOLA.com, "37 chemical releases reported in St. James Parish over 14 month period," 27 Mar. 2018
But the cylinder looked like others identified by the international NGO Human Rights Watch at other locations of chlorine gas attacks attributed to the government in 2016.

— Time, "Chemical Weapons Inspectors Collect Samples in Syria in Wake of Gas Attack," 21 Apr. 2018
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said chlorine gas was among the weapons used in the April 7 suspected attack on Douma, outside Damascus.

— New York Times, "Missile Strikes Are Unlikely to Stop Syria’s Chemical Attacks, Pentagon Says," 19 Apr. 2018
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said chlorine gas was among the weapons used in the April 7 suspected attack on Douma, outside Damascus.

— author: thomas gibbons neff, Anchorage Daily News, "Missile strikes are unlikely to stop Syria’s chemical attacks, Pentagon says," 19 Apr. 2018
Rainwater stored in the barrels is naturally soft and free of minerals, chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals, and plants respond well to it, Lane said.

— john tuohy, Indianapolis Star, "Hamilton County goes old-school green with rain barrels," 19 Apr. 2018
Barrel bombs, which his army has also repeatedly and infamously dumped on civilian populations over the past seven years, can be just as terrifying and destructive as chlorine gas.

— jonah shepp, Daily Intelligencer, "Syria Strikes Show, Once Again, That We Can’t Police the World by Bombing It," 17 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'chlorine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of chlorine

1810

in the meaning defined above

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CHLORINE Defined for English Language Learners

chlorine

noun

Definition of chlorine for English Language Learners

: a chemical that in its natural form is a greenish-yellow gas and has a strong smell

CHLORINE Defined for Kids

chlorine

noun chlo·rine \ ˈklȯr-ˌēn , -ən \

Definition of chlorine for Students

: a chemical element that is a greenish yellow irritating gas of strong odor used as a bleach and as a disinfectant to purify water

Medical Dictionary

chlorine

noun chlo·rine \ ˈklō(ə)r-ˌēn, ˈklȯ(ə)r-, -ən \

medical Definition of chlorine

: a halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish yellow gas of pungent odor and is used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification —symbol Cl — see Chemical Elements Table

Learn More about chlorine

See words that rhyme with chlorine Spanish Central: Translation of chlorine Nglish: Translation of chlorine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of chlorine for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chlorine

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chlorine

Definition of chlorine

Recent Examples of chlorine from the Web

First Known Use of chlorine

CHLORINE Defined for English Language Learners

chlorine

Definition of chlorine for English Language Learners

CHLORINE Defined for Kids

chlorine

Definition of chlorine for Students

Medical Dictionary

chlorine

medical Definition of chlorine

Learn More about chlorine

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chlorine

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