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 element table
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of chlorine from the Web
-
A Syrian rebel group accused the Syrian army of using chlorine gas against its fighters on Saturday in battles east of Damascus — an accusation the military swiftly denied as a fabrication.
-
Provo Fire and Rescue wrote on Facebook that 12 people reported agitated breathing from a chlorine leak.
-
One drawback: Salt water and chlorine will mar the taste.
-
Fox13 reported that about 2.5 gallons of chlorine and muriatic acid had seeped into the water supply.
-
About 15 to 20 gallons of chlorine, for swimming pools, spilled from the Explorer onto the road, CHP Officer Mary Bailey said.
-
An Indiana waterpark was shut down by the local health department Monday after two children suffered chemical burns from chlorine in the water of the children's section, officials said.
-
Too little of the chemical in the water can foster the growth of bacteria, but too much chlorine can cause chemical burns, Letta said.
-
The puffball tree absorbs chlorine from the air and sodium through its roots and creates salt that animals get from the leaves.
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
CHLORINE Defined for English Language Learners
chlorine
playDefinition 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
playDefinition 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
playMedical 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 element 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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up chlorine? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!