Definition of hydrogen
: a nonmetallic element that is the simplest and lightest of the elements, is normally a colorless odorless highly flammable diatomic gas, and is used especially in synthesis — see element table — compare deuterium, tritium
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Recent Examples of hydrogen from the Web
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The telescopes will measure the brightness temperature of the sun’s corona as a function of distance from its surface, possibly detecting evidence of neutral hydrogen in the corona.
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The largest hydrogen bomb ever exploded, the Tsar Bomb in 1961 by the old Soviet Union, yielded 57 megatons.
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To perform the experiment, scientists need a supply of tritium—a highly radioactive isotope of hydrogen produced in certain nuclear reactors that's tightly regulated because of its potential health hazards and weapons applications.
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So the algae uses the photosynthetic energy to make lipids, which are made up of hydrogen and carbon.
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This is because of the inflammable hydrogen used in the Zeppelin.
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Both of these comets have large hydrogen clouds surrounding them that could produce the kind of signal detected in 1977.
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Paris also examined several other similar comets and found the same type of hydrogen cloud and the same type of signal, which means that even if comet 266P wasn't the specific source of the Wow! signal, another comet is most likely the culprit.
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In China, Brown will spread the gospel of California’s auto policies, including a state rule requiring an increase in annual sales of zero-emission vehicles powered by batteries or hydrogen.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hydrogen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of hydrogen
French hydrogène, from hydr- + -gène -gen; from the fact that water is generated by its combustion
HYDROGEN Defined for English Language Learners
hydrogen
playDefinition of hydrogen for English Language Learners
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: a chemical element that has no color or smell and that is the simplest, lightest, and most common element
HYDROGEN Defined for Kids
hydrogen
playDefinition of hydrogen for Students
: a colorless, odorless, and tasteless flammable gas that is the lightest of the chemical elements
History for hydrogen
When hydrogen is burned it combines with oxygen to make water. That fact accounts for the name of this gas. The word hydrogen was formed from two Greek roots. The first, hydro-, means “water,” and the second, -gen, means “giving rise to, producing.”
Medical Dictionary
hydrogen
playMedical Definition of hydrogen
: a nonmetallic element that is the simplest and lightest of the elements and that is normally a colorless odorless highly flammable diatomic gas—symbol H; see deuterium, tritium; element table
Learn More about hydrogen
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Spanish Central: Translation of hydrogen Nglish: Translation of hydrogen for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of hydrogen for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hydrogen
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