chlorine

noun chlo·rine \ ˈklȯr-ˌēn , -ən \

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

See chlorine defined for English-language learners

See chlorine defined for kids

Recent Examples of chlorine from the Web

For example, get the barrel of pool chlorine out of the garage, along with cans of gasoline, and empty the refrigerator's contents into trash bags.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Evacuate Before a Storm or Flood," 25 Aug. 2017
It’s hard to see underwater, and not just because of the chlorine.

— kai sinclair, Science | AAAS, "Watch the secret to a squid’s crystal clear underwater vision," 10 Aug. 2017
Again, a pump will keep the water moving, but if bugs are still, well, bugging you, Hawkins recommends installing mosquito netting around the tank or adding mosquito dunks (which are safe for use around humans and animals) to a chlorine float. 4.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "5 of the Biggest Problems People Have with Stock Tank Pools—and How to Prevent Them," 2 Aug. 2017
The only rules: no chlorine, salt water, or bleach on your hair for one week.

— stella bugbee, The Cut, "This Nontoxic Hair-Straightening Process Is Saving Me From Summer Frizz," 21 July 2017
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.

— Washington Post, "World digest: July 1, 2017," 1 July 2017
Provo Fire and Rescue wrote on Facebook that 12 people reported agitated breathing from a chlorine leak.

— CBS News, "Utah water park evacuated after chemical spill, several injured, officials say," 1 July 2017
One drawback: Salt water and chlorine will mar the taste.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "'Pizza-Kini' offered for National Bikini Day," 30 June 2017
Fox13 reported that about 2.5 gallons of chlorine and muriatic acid had seeped into the water supply.

— robert newhouse, Teen Vogue, "Pool Malfunction Sent 5 Kids To The Hospital," 29 June 2017

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

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

Seen and Heard

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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

Seen and Heard

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chlorine

Definition of chlorine

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

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

Seen and Heard

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