fluoridate
verb
fluo·ri·date
ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt 
ˈflȯr-
ˈflȯr-
fluoridated; fluoridating
: to add a fluoride to (something, such as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay
Examples of fluoridate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine in communities across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but some people harbor concerns about it and many countries don’t fluoridate water for various reasons, including feasibility.
—
Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Feb. 2023
The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but still doesn't sit well with some people, and many countries don't fluoridate water for various reasons.
—Lisa Rathke, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2022
Why would Portland fluoridate if this poster were right?
—Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2013
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Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Feb. 2023
The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but still doesn't sit well with some people, and many countries don't fluoridate water for various reasons.
—Lisa Rathke, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2022
Why would Portland fluoridate if this poster were right?
—Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2013
Cite this Entry
“Fluoridate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluoridate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
fluoridate
transitive verb
flu·o·ri·date
ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt
ˈflōr-
ˈflōr-
ˈflȯr-
fluoridated; fluoridating
: to add a fluoride to (as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay
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