sulfide

noun

sul·​fide ˈsəl-ˌfīd How to pronounce sulfide (audio)
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
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.
The researchers think the clouds are full of chloride salts, such as potassium chloride, and/or sulfide salts, such as manganese sulfide. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 18 June 2026 The Maya used cinnabar, a vivid red pigment made from mercury sulfide, to paint temples, decorate ceramics and coat the bodies of elite dead. — Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 The tank that failed was holding white liquor — a chemical commonly used in paper and pulp processing, which consists of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 28 May 2026 White liquor, which is used to break down wood into paper pulp, is made up of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate, authorities said. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sulfide

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfide was in 1836

Phrases Containing sulfide

Rhymes for sulfide

See All Rhymes for sulfide

Browse Nearby Words

sulfidation
sulfide
sulfide dye
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Cite this Entry

“Sulfide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfide. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sulfide

noun
sul·​fide ˈsəl-ˌfīd How to pronounce sulfide (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce sulfide (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfide

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