fluoridate

American  

[floor-i-deyt, flawr-, flohr-] / ˈflʊər ɪˌdeɪt, ˈflɔr-, ˈfloʊr- /

verb (used with object)

fluoridated, fluoridating

1. to introduce a fluoride into.

   to fluoridate drinking water.

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fluoridate British  

/ ˈflʊərɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. to subject (water) to fluoridation

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fluoridate Scientific  

/ flr′ĭ-dāt′ /

1. To add fluorine or a fluoride to something, especially to drinking water in order to prevent tooth decay.

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Other Word Forms

• defluoridate verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of fluoridate

First recorded in 1945–50; back formation from fluoridation

Example Sentences

Prof Anne-Marie Glenny, also from the University of Manchester, said the widespread availability of fluoride toothpaste made the impact of fluoridating water less significant.

From BBC

About 209 million Americans receive fluoridated water in their taps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Los Angeles Times

As of 2012, two-thirds of Americans had access to fluoridated tap water.

From Los Angeles Times

Fluoride - a naturally occurring mineral recognised to protect teeth against decay - is added to water supplies in many countries, including the US, where around 63% of the population have fluoridated water.

From BBC

In England, about one in 10 people has fluoridated drinking water.

From BBC