chlorine

noun

chlo·​rine ˈklȯr-ˌēn 

-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

Skip chlorine bleach: Choose oxygen bleach or non-toxic stain remover alternatives to chlorine bleach. —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025

Standard liquid chlorine bleach can cost as little as $4 a bottle, while bleach alternatives are often a little more expensive. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025

Be sure to not mix it with any product that contains chlorine bleach. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025

Christmas is supposed to be cold and cozy, not full of chlorine and Coppertone. —Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chlorine

• chlorine dioxide
• chlorine monoxide

Rhymes for chlorine

• organochlorine

Kids Definition

chlorine

noun

chlo·​rine ˈklō(ə)r-ˌēn 

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 

: 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