chlorinate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to combine or treat (a substance) with chlorine
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to disinfect (water) with chlorine
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To add chlorine or one of its compounds to a substance. Water and sewage are chlorinated to be disinfected, and paper pulp is chlorinated to be bleached.
Other Word Forms
- chlorination noun
- chlorinator noun
- hyperchlorination noun
- postchlorination adjective
- unchlorinated adjective
Etymology
Origin of chlorinate
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.
Namphy and his government colleagues raced to chlorinate water arriving in the camps.
From The Guardian • Mar. 16, 2020
We chlorinate our water, so what’s the problem with using chlorine washes to make chicken safe?
From The Guardian • Sep. 10, 2019
Residents now chlorinate it, boil it or filter it through rugs.
From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2014
That move comes after actors in chicken outfits in one French protest troupe — dubbed the "chicken brigade" — tried to "chlorinate themselves" in a public pool.
From Chicago Tribune • Dec. 5, 2014
In 1916, however, London commenced to chlorinate a portion of its supply and the following year practically the whole supply was chlorinated.
From Chlorination of Water by Race, Joseph
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.