halogen

American  

[hal-uh-juhn, -jen, hey-luh-] / ˈhæl ə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn, ˈheɪ lə- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. any of the electronegative elements, fluorine, chlorine, iodine, bromine, and astatine, that form binary salts by direct union with metals.

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halogen British  

/ ˈhæləˌdʒɛn, həˈlɒdʒɪnəs /

noun

1. any of the chemical elements fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. They are all monovalent and readily form negative ions

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halogen Scientific  

/ hăl′ə-jən /

1. Any of a group of five nonmetallic elements with similar properties. The halogens are fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. Because they are missing an electron from their outermost shell, they react readily with most metals to form salts.

2. See Periodic Table

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• halogenoid
  adjective
• halogenous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of halogen

First recorded in 1835–45; halo- + -gen

Compare meaning

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

• halide vs. halogen

Explanation

A halogen is a chemical element that forms a salt when it reacts with metal. Halogen lamps are illuminated by bulbs that contain a halogen and an inert gas. There are five halogens in the periodic table of chemical elements: fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. The halogens are all highly reactive, which means they're quick to form bonds with other elements. What they often end up becoming is some kind of salt, including common table salt. In fact, the literal translation of halogen is "salt-producer," from Greek roots hals, "salt," and gen, "giving birth to."

Example Sentences

Halogen nightmares had its genesis in failed translations.

From Nature • Sep. 1, 2020

Halogen dominates standard bulb shipments, the association reported, representing almost half of the total, followed by CFLs at about 27 percent, a share that is on the decline.

From New York Times • Feb. 1, 2016

Projector-style Halogen headlamps are still standard, with Xenon HID headlamps available as part of an option package.

From Forbes • Jul. 8, 2015

Halogen Software’s senior talent attraction manager John Fleischauer advises reflecting on past successes and past performance reviews as part of your interview prep.

From US News • Jan. 20, 2015

Halogen acids convert it into monohalogen fatty acids, and the halogens themselves convert it into dihalogen fatty acids.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 4 "Diameter" to "Dinarchus" by Various

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