halon

noun

ha·​lon ˈhā-ˌlän How to pronounce halon (audio)
: a halocarbon that contains especially bromine

Examples of halon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These include chlorofluorocarbons, which are found in air conditioners, refrigerators, and spray cans, halons, which are found in fire extinguishers, and methyl bromide, which is used to kill weeds, insects, and other pests. Popular Science, 18 May 2020 The crew used three halon-gas fire extinguishers and two more filled with water to douse the flaming laptop that caused it. Michael Laris, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2019 Modern airlines come equipped with fire-halon fire suppression systems. Barbara Peterson, Popular Mechanics, 20 July 2015 In 2015, 22 Marines were hospitalized when the system accidentally went off, filling the cabin with halon and causing respiratory injuries. Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2017 That would come in the form of manmade chemicals like CFCs, HCFS, freon, and halons, most of which have been dramatically reduced thanks to international agreement. National Geographic, 3 Feb. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'halon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary hal- + -on entry 3

First Known Use

circa 1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of halon was circa 1951

Dictionary Entries Near halon

Cite this Entry

“Halon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/halon. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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