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.
The dishwasher sanitizer measured a zero point zero in sanitizing chlorine. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Compared to existing methods to recover rare earth elements, a process based on rapidly heating waste magnet material in the presence of chlorine gas uses one-third of the processing steps, reduces energy consumption by 87 percent, and produces 84 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions. IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025 There are several kinds of events companies must report to the federal government, including deaths and releases of particular chemicals, such as chlorine, naphthalene and vinyl chloride. Philip Steenstra, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025 Municipal water sources may have additives like chlorine or fluoride that can harm sensitive plants. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Oct. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Chlorine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chlorine. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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
: 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

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