chlorine

[ klawr-een, -in, klohr- ]

noun

1. a halogen element, a heavy, greenish-yellow, incombustible, water-soluble, poisonous gas that is highly irritating to the respiratory organs, obtained chiefly by electrolysis of sodium chloride brine: used for water purification, in the making of bleaching powder, and in the manufacture both of chemicals that do not contain chlorine, as ethylene glycol, and of those that do. : Cl; : 35.453; : 17.

chlorine

/ ˈklɔːriːn; ˈklɔːrɪn /

noun

1. a toxic pungent greenish-yellow gas of the halogen group; the 15th most abundant element in the earth's crust, occurring only in the combined state, mainly in common salt: used in the manufacture of many organic chemicals, in water purification, and as a disinfectant and bleaching agent. Symbol: Cl; atomic no: 17; atomic wt: 35.4527; valency: 1, 3, 5, or 7; density: 3.214 kg/m³; relative density: 1.56; melting pt: –101.03°C; boiling pt: –33.9°C

chlorine

/ klôr′ēn′ /

1. A greenish-yellow, gaseous element of the halogen group that can combine with most other elements and is found chiefly in combination with the alkali metals as chlorates and chlorides. Chlorine is highly irritating and poisonous. It is used in purifying water, as a disinfectant and bleach, and in the manufacture of numerous chemical compounds. Atomic number 17; atomic weight 35.453; freezing point −100.98°C; boiling point −34.6°C; specific gravity 1.56 (−33.6°C); valence 1, 3, 5, 7.
2. See Periodic Table See Note at chlorophyll

chlorine

1. A chemical element , normally a corrosive gas, that is widely used for sterilization and cleaning.

Notes

Chlorine in CFCs is believed to be responsible for the ozone hole .

Chlorine is added to drinking water to kill bacteria .

Other Words From

• chlorin·ous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chlorine¹

First recorded in 1800–10; chlor- ¹ + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of chlorine¹

C19 (coined by Sir Humphrey Davy): from chloro- + -ine ², referring to its colour

Example Sentences

Thanks to analysis of the chlorine isotopes3 contained in salt extracted from the Mediterranean seabed, scientists have been able to identify the two phases of this extreme evaporation event.

From Science Daily

They included several types of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics flexible; chloroform, a toxic byproduct from disinfecting water with chlorine; and toluene, a hazardous substance found in vehicle exhaust.

From Los Angeles Times

If your tap water is treated with chlorine, no additional treatment is necessary.

From Salon

Currently the process releases a lot of poisonous chlorine gas.

From BBC

Exposure to liquid or gaseous chlorine may cause irritation or burns to the skin and eyes, says PHE.

From BBC

Related Words

• bleach
• disinfectant