fluoride

American  

[floor-ahyd, flawr-, flohr-] / ˈflʊər aɪd, ˈflɔr-, ˈfloʊr- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a salt of hydrofluoric acid consisting of two elements, one of which is fluorine, as sodium fluoride, NaF.

2. a compound containing fluorine, as methyl fluoride, CH 3 F.

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fluoride British  

/ ˈflʊəˌraɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrofluoric acid, containing the fluoride ion, F ^–

2. any compound containing fluorine, such as methyl fluoride

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fluoride Scientific  

/ flr′īd′ /

1. A compound containing fluorine and another element or radical. Fluorine combines readily with nearly all the other elements, except the noble gases, to form fluorides. In some countries, fluoride is added to the drinking water as a preventive measure against tooth decay.

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fluoride Cultural  

1. Any of a number of naturally occurring compounds of the element fluorine. Fluorides have been found to be effective in preventing tooth decay and are routinely added to drinking water in most jurisdictions.

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Etymology

Origin of fluoride

First recorded in 1820–30; fluor- + -ide ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does fluoride compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• fluorine vs. fluoride

Example Sentences

The Health Secretary has also used his bully pulpit to attack products he views as toxins, including pesticides and fluoride in water.

From The Wall Street Journal

This grinding causes the materials to react at room temperature, breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds within Teflon and producing harmless carbon along with sodium fluoride, a stable salt widely used in fluoride toothpaste.

From Science Daily

While fluoride toothpaste helps slow this process, the keratin-based formulation in the new study went further, completely preventing it in laboratory tests.

From Science Daily

With its ability to mimic natural enamel formation and strengthen teeth without fluoride, this new gel could redefine modern dentistry.

From Science Daily

Rinsing your mouth washes away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste.

From BBC