hydrogen peroxide

noun

: an unstable compound H2O2 used especially as an oxidizing and bleaching agent, an antiseptic, and a propellant

Examples of hydrogen peroxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Zirconium is resistant to the corrosive effects of hydrogen peroxide and is one of the few metals whose ions do not catalyze hydrogen peroxide's decomposition reaction, according to ATI, a producer of specialty metals. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2023 Common options include hydrogen peroxide or povidone-iodine. Thomas J. Henry Personal Injury Law, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023 Those methods might be cheaper than hydrogen peroxide. Claire Gillespie, Health, 18 Oct. 2023 In an email, lab director and forensic anthropologist Amanda Agnew defended her lab and its practices, saying the concentration of hydrogen peroxide was low — 2% — and the goal was to preserve the skeletal remains for long-term analysis. Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 6 Oct. 2023 Just be sure not to use anything with bleach or hydrogen peroxide, and don’t get any of the openings wet. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2023 After that, add hydrogen peroxide to naturally whiten clothes and keep colors fresh. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023 These whitening strips are formulated with hydrogen peroxide and are designed as a quick solution to brighten teeth in just a single one-hour session. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023 Afterward, their mother treated the wound with hydrogen peroxide and sent them back to bed. Julia Craven, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrogen peroxide was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near hydrogen peroxide

Cite this Entry

“Hydrogen peroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrogen%20peroxide. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

hydrogen peroxide

noun
: an unstable liquid compound containing hydrogen and oxygen and used especially for bleaching and as an antiseptic

Medical Definition

hydrogen peroxide

noun
: an unstable compound H2O2 used especially as an oxidizing and bleaching agent and as an antiseptic

More from Merriam-Webster on hydrogen peroxide

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