fluoride

noun

fluo·​ride ˈflȯr-ˌīd  ˈflu̇r- 

often attributive

1

: a compound of fluorine

2

: the monovalent anion of fluorine

Examples of fluoride in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In his memo this summer, Nevin, who is a physician epidemiologist, cited a state-of-the-science report from the National Toxicology Program last year that described an association between higher levels of fluoride exposure and lower IQs in children. —Anna Clark, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 2025

Municipal water sources may have additives like chlorine or fluoride that can harm sensitive plants. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025

In the sketch, Sherman played Wood’s The White Lotus character Chelsea, donning oversized fake teeth and mocking her Manchester accent with a line dumbing her character down more in a conversation about removing fluoride from water and eating monkeys. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2025

Was Mary Jo about to paint fluoride on my teeth? —Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fluoride

• hydrogen fluoride
• lithium fluoride
• sodium fluoride

Rhymes for fluoride

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

fluoride

noun

flu·​o·​ride

ˈflu̇(-ə)r-ˌīd

: a compound of fluorine with another element or chemical group

Medical Definition

fluoride

noun

flu·​o·​ride ˈflu̇(-ə)r-ˌīd 

1

: a compound of fluorine with a more electropositive element or radical

2

: the monovalent anion of fluorine

fluoride adjective