oxide

noun

ox·​ide ˈäk-ˌsīd How to pronounce oxide (audio)
: a binary compound of oxygen with a more electropositive element or group
oxidic adjective

Examples of oxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ward explained that Tor is trained to detect a chemical, triphenylphosphine oxide used in the manufacturing of just about any type of storage device, like cellphones, USB drives, micro SD cards, computers and cameras. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2025 Rare-earth compounds take on a variety of colors, as shown with these oxides of (clockwise from top center): praseodymium, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium. IEEE Spectrum, 7 Mar. 2025 Ultimately, the body sends water towards the oxide to get rid of it, causing a diarrhea or laxative effect. Jennifer Shanker, Flow Space, 6 Feb. 2025 Using natural oxide pigments and graphite, Pacheco depicts a clash between Meso-American and Spanish cultures, with references to the working-class culture of his parents and masters of Mexican art like Diego Rivera. Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oxide

Word History

Etymology

French oxide, oxyde, from ox- (from oxygène oxygen) + -ide (from acide acid)

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oxide was in 1788

Cite this Entry

“Oxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxide. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

oxide

noun
ox·​ide ˈäk-ˌsīd How to pronounce oxide (audio)
: a compound of oxygen with another element or a chemical group

Medical Definition

oxide

noun
ox·​ide ˈäk-ˌsīd How to pronounce oxide (audio)
: a binary compound of oxygen with a more electropositive element or chemical group

More from Merriam-Webster on oxide

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