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

State and local authorities decide for themselves whether to fluoridate the water supply.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2025

He learned he was wrong, he started a local campaign to fluoridate the water, which proved successful.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Nashua, with 87,000 residents, is the largest city in the state that doesn’t fluoridate its public water system.

From Washington Times • Oct. 12, 2015

In 2013, citizens in Portland, Ore., one of only a few major American cities that don’t fluoridate, blocked a plan by local officials to do so.

From Washington Post • Feb. 12, 2015

“The fact that we collected so many signatures shows the citizens of Portland were really upset that they were going to fluoridate without a public vote,” says Kellie Barnes, spokeswoman for Clean Water Portland.

From Slate • May 17, 2013