chloroform

chlo·ro·form | \ ˈklȯr-ə-ˌfȯrm

How to pronounce chloroform (audio)

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Definition of chloroform

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid CHCl₃ with an ether odor used especially as a solvent

chloroform

chloroformed; chloroforming; chloroforms

Definition of chloroform (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to treat with or as if with chloroform especially so as to produce anesthesia, insensibility, or death

Examples of chloroform in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Merriman opted to go to nursing school, and specialized in anesthesia, which at the time consisted of chloroform and ether, and had jobs in hospitals in Fargo, N.D., and Spokane, Washington, before returning to Bismarck. — Anne M. Hamilton, courant.com, "Extraordinary Life: After leaving North Dakota, Margaret Clapis Merriman became a force for good in Hartford," 20 Oct. 2019 Women's Voices for the Earth, an environmental advocacy group, tested pads from the brand Always in 2014, and found the products released chemicals like styrene, chloroethane and chloroform. — Leah Asmelash, CNN, "New York will require menstrual product packages to contain a list of all ingredients inside, making it the first state to have such a law," 11 Oct. 2019 And in 2018, DEQ confirmed nine separate accidental releases of chemicals — including hydrochloric acid, vinyl chloride, ethylene, chloroform, benzene and other toxic chemicals — during the previous 14 months. — Mark Schleifstein, ProPublica, "I’ve Investigated Industrial Pollution for 35 Years. We’re Going Backwards.," 30 Oct. 2012 The property was used for industrial operations until 1987, and was contaminated with chloroform, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and PCBs, according to a release announcing the grant. — Jim Newton, Lake County News-Sun, "Approval of long-awaited EPA brownfield cleanup funds 'a key turning point' for Waukegan's south lakefront," 6 June 2019 The soldier would be put to sleep with chloroform or ether. — Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, "Bones of Civil War dead found on a battlefield tell their horror stories," 20 June 2018 The soldier would be put to sleep with chloroform or ether. — Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, "Bones of Civil War dead found on a battlefield tell their horror stories," 20 June 2018 The soldier would be put to sleep with chloroform or ether. — Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, "Bones of Civil War dead found on a battlefield tell their horror stories," 20 June 2018 The soldier would be put to sleep with chloroform or ether. — Michael E. Ruane, Washington Post, "Bones of Civil War dead found on a battlefield tell their horror stories," 20 June 2018

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

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Learn More about chloroform

Dictionary Entries near chloroform

chlorofluorocarbon

chlorofluoromethane

chloroformic acid

chloroformic ester

Statistics for chloroform

Last Updated

13 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Chloroform.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chloroform. Accessed 10 December 2019.

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More Definitions for chloroform

chloroform

noun

English Language Learners Definition of chloroform

: a colorless poisonous liquid

See the full definition for chloroform in the English Language Learners Dictionary

chloroform

chlo·ro·form | \ ˈklȯr-ə-ˌfȯrm

\

Kids Definition of chloroform

: a colorless heavy liquid used especially to dissolve fatty substances

chloroform

chlo·ro·form | \ ˈklōr-ə-ˌfȯrm, ˈklȯr-

\

Medical Definition of chloroform

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a colorless volatile heavy toxic liquid CHCl₃ with an ether odor used especially as a solvent

— called also trichloromethane

chloroform

transitive verb

Medical Definition of chloroform (Entry 2 of 2)

: to treat with chloroform especially so as to produce anesthesia or death

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