peroxide
Americannoun
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peroxides
plural
verb (used with object)
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peroxides,
present (3rd person singular)
-
peroxided,
past participle, past
-
peroxiding
present participle
noun
-
short for hydrogen peroxide, esp when used for bleaching hair
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any of a class of metallic oxides, such as sodium peroxide, Na 2 O 2 , that contain the divalent ion – O-O –
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(not in technical usage) any of certain dioxides, such as manganese peroxide, MnO 2 , that resemble peroxides in their formula but do not contain the – O-O – ion
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any of a class of organic compounds whose molecules contain two oxygen atoms bound together. They tend to be explosive
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(modifier) of, relating to, bleached with, or resembling peroxide
verb
-
A compound containing the group O 2. Peroxides are strong oxidizers and are used as industrial bleaches. When any peroxide is combined with an acid, one of the products is hydrogen peroxide.
-
Hydrogen peroxide.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
peroxidesimple
-
peroxidessimple
-
have peroxidedperfect
-
has peroxidedperfect
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am peroxidingprogressive
-
are peroxidingprogressive
-
is peroxidingprogressive
-
have been peroxidingperfect progressive
-
has been peroxidingperfect progressive
Past
-
peroxidedsimple
-
had peroxidedperfect
-
was peroxidingprogressive
-
were peroxidingprogressive
-
had been peroxidingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of peroxide
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
For milder forms of face acne, dermatologists may recommend face washes or creams containing benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinoids such as adapalene.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Together, these features help balance the different reaction speeds of oxygen reduction and water oxidation, two half-reactions that must work together during hydrogen peroxide production.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026
National Park Service crews dumped hydrogen peroxide into the water last week and then pieces of the new flooring started breaking loose as crews began vacuuming the pool floor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Officials have been using chemicals, including reportedly hydrogen peroxide, to clean a green algae bloom which has taken hold in the pool since it was re-filled following a paint job earlier this month.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
At bedtime we’d shake a little baking soda into the palm of one hand, mix in a dash of hydrogen peroxide, then use our fingers to clean our teeth with the fizzing paste.
From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
This allows GPX4 to neutralize lipid peroxides, harmful molecules that would otherwise damage the membrane.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025
Larger fines were assessed for failing to designate a point person to help fight the fire and failing to give a complete inventory of the organic peroxides on site when firefighters arrived, she said.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 25, 2023
The ROSs and lipid peroxides then triggered intensive oxidative bursts, while the protons lowered the intracellular pH value, creating an unfavourable acidic microenvironment for the cancer cells.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2023
When ozone wafts into buildings, it reacts with limonene and similar molecules called monoterpenes, turning them into peroxides, alcohols, and other molecules that grow into airborne particles.
From Science Magazine ● Feb. 24, 2022
Oxides which yield either hydrogen dioxide or oxygen when treated with water or an acid are called peroxides.
From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by William McPherson
Puffy-faced and peroxided, Koepka finally admitted, “I’ll be honest: I can’t compete with these guys week in and week out.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 22, 2023
Murray SawChuck, 38, a magician known for his spiky peroxided hair and a self-anointed role as “the Dennis the Menace of magic,” notes he is free in the evenings to attend other shows.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2016
To mark a change, she peroxided her hair.
From New York Times ● Feb. 11, 2014
With his peroxided locks, heavy mascara and volatile sensitivity, his Jackson is a cross between punky rockers Billy Idol and Billie Joe Armstrong, with a dash of corrupt, rabble-rousing politico Huey Long thrown in.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 21, 2012
When it was Dad’s move, I’d steal looks at him in his button-down shirt, trying to remember the fast-fading picture of the guy with peroxided hair and a leather jacket.
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
