bromide

American  

[broh-mahyd, broh-mid] / ˈbroʊ maɪd, ˈbroʊ mɪd /

noun

1. Chemistry.

   1. a salt of hydrobromic acid consisting of two elements, one of which is bromine, as sodium bromide, NaBr.

   2. a compound containing bromine, as methyl bromide.

2. Pharmacology. potassium bromide, known to produce central nervous system depression, formerly used as a sedative.

3. a platitude or trite saying.

4. a person who is platitudinous and boring.

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bromide British  

/ ˈbrəʊmaɪd /

noun

1. any salt of hydrobromic acid, containing the monovalent ion Br ^– ( bromide ion )

2. any compound containing a bromine atom, such as methyl bromide

3. a dose of sodium or potassium bromide given as a sedative

4. 1. a trite saying; platitude

   2. a dull or boring person

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bromide Scientific  

/ brō′mīd′ /

1. A compound, such as potassium bromide, containing bromine and another element or radical.

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Other Word Forms

• subbromide noun

Etymology

Origin of bromide

First recorded in 1830–40; brom- + -ide ( def. ); bromide in defs. 3, 4 from use of some bromides as sedatives

Example Sentences

The preferred bromide tends to be lower interest rates.

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

Last year, a nutritionist ended up hospitalized after taking ChatGPT’s advice to replace salt in his diet with sodium bromide.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2026

Altman then continued with an Elon Musk-like bromide, in that the value of going public is to shut up critics who would bet against the stock.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 3, 2025

The bromide about teams picking the best available player rather than drafting for need does not apply to the Angels, at least not in the Perry Minasian era.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 13, 2025

He went into the bathroom and measured three teaspoons of elixir of bromide into a glass and added water until the red medicine was pink.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• cliché