peroxide

1 of 3

noun

per·​ox·​ide pə-ˈräk-ˌsīd 

: a compound (such as hydrogen peroxide) in which oxygen is visualized as joined to oxygen

peroxidic

pə-ˌräk-ˈsi-dik 

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

Hydrogen peroxide can make easy work of hard-to-remove stains like wine, blood, or grass stains. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025

Exposing anodized aluminum to peroxide could result in discoloration of the finish. —PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

Verb

Freshly peroxided, Mock headed to the skatepark later that day. —Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2019

Adjective

Quality inspections scrutinize ideal acidity levels, peroxide values, and light-based analyses.8 These standards are set by the International Olive Council (IOC) and the European Commission. —Lauren O'Connor, Ms, Health, 16 Dec. 2024

The enamel-safe kit uses an LED light and peroxide gel, similar to laser whitening treatments at a dental office. —Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing peroxide

• benzoyl peroxide
• bottle/bleached/peroxide blonde
• hydrogen peroxide

Rhymes for peroxide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

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 

: a compound (as hydrogen peroxide) in which oxygen is visualized as joined to oxygen