peroxide

1 of 3

noun

per·​ox·​ide pə-ˈräk-ˌsīd How to pronounce peroxide (audio)
: a compound (such as hydrogen peroxide) in which oxygen is visualized as joined to oxygen
peroxidic adjective

peroxide

2 of 3

verb

peroxided; peroxiding

transitive verb

: to treat with a peroxide
especially : to bleach (hair) with hydrogen peroxide

peroxide

3 of 3

adjective

: having or being bleached hair
a peroxide blonde

Examples of peroxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Brush for one minute before moving to toothpaste number two, which contains peroxide, for another minute. Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 29 Feb. 2024 Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Proving that short hairstyles don’t have to be restrictive, the actor attended the ceremony with her hair coiffed into a contemporary take on Monroe’s famous peroxide pin-up curls. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2024 It was supposed to look like an at-home rancid dye job, with full peroxide and splicing in some yellow and orange. Vulture, 8 Dec. 2023 Carbamide peroxide: This is a combination of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide. Claire Gillespie, Health, 18 Oct. 2023 These strips contain carbamide peroxide, which has been found to be just as effective as hydrogen peroxide to help reduce staining and brighten teeth. Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023 Active ingredients include carbamide peroxide, carbopol, propanediol and glycerine. Natalie Alcala, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2023 Carbamide peroxide works slightly more slowly but has a longer shelf life than hydrogen peroxide. Claire Gillespie, Health, 18 Oct. 2023 The kit features a tray that’s filled with the brand’s custom whitening treatment, with a main ingredient of 35% carbamide peroxide. Korin Miller, wsj.com, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
Freshly peroxided, Mock headed to the skatepark later that day. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2019
Adjective
From greased mullets to peroxide pixies, Miley Cyrus is no stranger to a subversive hair moment. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024 Julia Garner and her peroxide coiffure are essentially synonymous at the point—and for Golden Globes 2024 red carpet, the close-crop's shade served as the foundation for the actor's makeup palette. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2024 Some were peroxide blond, others neon red or green. Michael E. Miller, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2023 The peroxide content in bleaching gels for whitening trays may lead to burns and ulcers on the gum's tissues.7 Additionally, the peroxide that whitening toothpaste contains can lead to teeth sensitivity. Dr. Roshini Raj, Health, 3 Dec. 2023 Most teeth whitening pens use a peroxide formulation—either hydrogen or carbamide—to break down stains. Jaylyn Pruitt, Health, 30 July 2023 To prepare for last night's London premiere of Mission: Impossible 7, French actor Pom Klementieff opted to part ways with her peroxide bob in favor of a pixie two months in the making. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 23 June 2023 The ultimate blonde, her peroxide waves framed that unforgettable face perfectly. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2023 The peroxide blonde model, who hails from upstate New York and is one of six siblings, has fronted numerous campaigns for the storied Italian brand. Eni Subair, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word '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

Noun

1804, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1899, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peroxide was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near peroxide

Cite this Entry

“Peroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peroxide. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peroxide

noun
per·​ox·​ide
pə-ˈräk-ˌsīd
: an oxide containing a high proportion of oxygen
especially : hydrogen peroxide

Medical Definition

peroxide

noun
per·​ox·​ide pə-ˈräk-ˌsīd How to pronounce peroxide (audio)
: a compound (as hydrogen peroxide) in which oxygen is visualized as joined to oxygen

More from Merriam-Webster on peroxide

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!