hydrogen

noun

hy·​dro·​gen ˈhī-drə-jən 

-dər-

: a nonmetallic gaseous chemical element with atomic number 1 that is the simplest and lightest of the elements and that is used especially in the processing of fossil fuels and the synthesis of ammonia

—often used before another noun

hydrogen gas

hydrogen atoms

a hydrogen vehicle

the hydrogen industry

see Chemical Elements Table see also green hydrogen compare deuterium, tritium

hydrogenous

hī-ˈdrä-jə-nəs 

adjective

Examples of hydrogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As plants use rainwater to grow, their leaves pick up the rain’s characteristic ratio of hydrogen isotopes—atoms with the same number of protons and different numbers of neutrons. —Hannah Richter, Scientific American, 7 May 2026

This breakthrough in nanomaterial engineering has use in sustainable energy, as these multimetallic catalysts could improve the efficiency of hydrogen production and use. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 May 2026

How did anyone get away with flying people on a hydrogen airship? —Paul Eisenberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026

In particular, MeerKAT was able to detect galaxies in the Zone of Avoidance because radio waves from their hydrogen gas can pass through our Milky Way's dust lanes relatively unhindered. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

French hydrogène, from hydr- + -gène -gen; from the fact that water is generated by its combustion

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hydrogen

• green hydrogen
• heavy hydrogen
• hydrogen bomb
• hydrogen bond
• hydrogen bromide
• hydrogen chloride
• hydrogen cyanide
• hydrogen fluoride
• hydrogen iodide
• hydrogen ion
• hydrogen peroxide
• hydrogen sulfide

Rhymes for hydrogen

• dihydrogen

Kids Definition

hydrogen

noun

hy·​dro·​gen ˈhī-drə-jən 

: a chemical element that is the simplest and lightest of all chemical elements and is normally found alone as a colorless odorless highly flammable gas having two atoms per molecule see element

hydrogenous

hī-ˈdräj-ə-nəs 

adjective

Etymology

from French hydrogène "hydrogen," from hydr- "water" and -gène "producer"; so called because when hydrogen gas burns, it combines with oxygen to produce water

Medical Definition

hydrogen

noun

hy·​dro·​gen ˈhī-drə-jən 

: 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 Chemical Elements Table

hydrogenous

hī-ˈdräj-ə-nəs 

adjective