halogen

noun hal·o·gen \ ˈha-lə-jən \

|Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of halogen

: any of the five elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine that form part of group VIIA of the periodic table and exist in the free state normally as diatomic molecules

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halogenous

play \ha-ˈlä-jə-nəs\ adjective

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Recent Examples of halogen from the Web

Our car also came with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic projector-beam halogen headlights.

— g. chambers williams iii, star-telegram, "C-HR brings small crossover entry to Toyota lineup, starting at $22,500 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 28 Apr. 2018
There are three main types of driving lights: halogen, LED (light-emitting diode) and HID (high-intensity discharge).

— timothy dahl, Popular Mechanics, "How to Install Your Own Driving Lights," 10 May 2017
The Maxima also came with speed-sensitive hydro-electric power steering, heated outside mirrors with turn signals, front and rear parking sensors, front halogen fog lights, LED daytime running lights and LED low-beam headlights.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Nissan Maxima: 'Four-door sports car' gets some upgrades for 2018," 9 Feb. 2018
Many are leaving out plasticizers, phthalates, formaldehyde, chlorine, halogen and heavy metals.

— clare miers, star-telegram, "Wallpaper is back! Here, local design experts talk the trends and share their picks | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 15 Mar. 2018
The Maxima also came with speed-sensitive hydro-electric power steering, heated outside mirrors with turn signals, front and rear parking sensors, front halogen fog lights, LED daytime running lights and LED low-beam headlights.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Nissan Maxima: 'Four-door sports car' gets some upgrades for 2018," 9 Feb. 2018
Most cars and a lot of trucks today are manufactured with headlamp assemblies that use quartz-halogen bulbs plugged into the back of a large plastic reflector.

— michael austin, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make Your Headlights Shine Like New," 1 Dec. 2017
The Maxima also came with speed-sensitive hydro-electric power steering, heated outside mirrors with turn signals, front and rear parking sensors, front halogen fog lights, LED daytime running lights and LED low-beam headlights.

— g. chambers williams iii, Houston Chronicle, "Nissan Maxima: 'Four-door sports car' gets some upgrades for 2018," 9 Feb. 2018
Reggaeton plays through a set of speakers, drowning out the hum of the generator that powers them and the halogen lights near the grill.

— james lynch, Popular Mechanics, "After the Storm," 9 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of halogen

Swedish, from hal- + -gen

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First Known Use: 1842

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

halogen

adjective

Definition of halogen

: containing, using, or being a halogen

a halogen lamp

Recent Examples of halogen from the Web

Test Results: Maximum Cubby Storage Exterior Measurement Comparisons Every 124 Spider comes standard with a manual softtop that’s effortless to fold down, plus halogen headlights and LED taillights.

— Car and Driver, "2018 Fiat 124 Spider," 2 Nov. 2017

First Known Use of halogen

1880

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

halogen

noun halo·gen \ ˈhal-ə-jən \

medical Definition of halogen

: any of the five elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine that form part of group VII A of the periodic table and exist in the free state normally as diatomic molecules

—