fluo·ri·date
ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt 
ˈflȯr-
ˈflȯr-
fluoridated; fluoridating
: to add a fluoride to (something, such as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay
flu·o·ri·da·tion
ˌflu̇rəˈdāshən
ˌflōr-,
ˌflȯr-
plural -s
a
: the introduction of fluorine into rocks as indicated by the formation of such minerals as fluorite and topaz
b
: the adding of a fluoride to drinking water
fluoridation of public water supplies for prevention of tooth decay in children
Examples of fluoridate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The phosphate industry sells fertilizers, fluoridates our drinking water, and produces weapons of war.
—Jack Lohmann, Time, 30 Mar. 2026
Local communities, though, are on the front lines of the fluoride wars in most states, typically deciding whether or not to continue fluoridating their drinking water by council vote or community referendum.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
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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Verb
Research from places that stopped fluoridating their water — Calgary, Canada; Juneau, Alaska; and Israel — has found that lower levels can have an impact over the span of years.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
The phosphate industry sells fertilizers, fluoridates our drinking water, and produces weapons of war.
—Jack Lohmann, Time, 30 Mar. 2026
Local communities, though, are on the front lines of the fluoride wars in most states, typically deciding whether or not to continue fluoridating their drinking water by council vote or community referendum.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Fluoridate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluoridate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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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