sulfide

noun

sul·​fide ˈsəl-ˌfīd 

1

: any of various organic compounds characterized by a sulfur atom attached to two carbon atoms

2

: a binary compound (such as CuS) of sulfur usually with a more electropositive element or group : a salt of hydrogen sulfide

Examples of sulfide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That was until the researchers saw the armored scales, or sclerites, that covered its foot, as well as the iron-sulfide-rich outer layer of its shell. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026

Tribal officials also fear more roads in the forest would lead to more mining, particularly sulfide mining, which has been devastating to the environment in the past. —Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 28 Jan. 2026

In the lead- and zinc-rich northeast, mining can release acidic drainage caused by oxidation of sulfide minerals, which can leach heavy metals from mining waste, contaminating waterways. —Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026

Turning a mine waste problem into a solution Acid mine drainage forms when sulfide minerals, such as pyrite, are exposed to air during mining. —Alan Collins, The Conversation, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sulfide

• cadmium sulfide
• hydrogen sulfide
• iron sulfide
• lead sulfide
• zinc sulfide

Rhymes for sulfide

• abide
• allied
• applied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied

Kids Definition

sulfide

noun

sul·​fide ˈsəl-ˌfīd 

: a compound of sulfur with one or more other elements : a salt of hydrogen sulfide

Medical Definition

sulfide

noun

sul·​fide

variants or chiefly British sulphide

ˈsəl-ˌfīd 

1

: any of various organic compounds characterized by a sulfur atom attached to two carbon atoms

2

: a binary compound (as CuS) of sulfur usually with a more electropositive element or group : a salt of hydrogen sulfide