chlorine

noun

chlo·​rine ˈklȯr-ˌēn How to pronounce chlorine (audio)
-ən
: a halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish-yellow diatomic gas of pungent odor and is used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification see Chemical Elements Table

Examples of chlorine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials said the municipality had trouble obtaining chlorine from its usual supplier. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The quaternary ammonium and chlorine test strips were expired. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Santevia swaps those cartridges with a filter mix that can be poured directly into a metal casing on the shower head to remove chlorine and add in magnesium. — Time Staff, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors accused the two men of planning and acquiring the elements to make a chlorine bomb as well as using the internet to identify and research potential targets. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chlorine

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chlorine was in 1810

Phrases Containing chlorine

Rhymes for chlorine

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Browse Nearby Words

chlorinator
chlorine
chlorine demand
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Cite this Entry

“Chlorine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorine. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chlorine

noun
chlo·​rine ˈklō(ə)r-ˌēn How to pronounce chlorine (audio)
ˈklȯ(ə)r-, 
-ən
: a nonmetallic element that is found alone as a heavy greenish yellow irritating gas having two atoms per molecule and a strong odor and that is used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification see element

Medical Definition

chlorine

noun
chlo·​rine ˈklō(ə)r-ˌēn, ˈklȯ(ə)r-, -ən How to pronounce chlorine (audio)
: a halogen element that is isolated as a heavy greenish yellow gas of pungent odor and is used especially as a bleach, oxidizing agent, and disinfectant in water purification
—symbol Cl see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on chlorine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chlorine

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