fluoridate

verb

fluo·​ri·​date ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt How to pronounce fluoridate (audio) ˈflȯr- How to pronounce fluoridate (audio)
fluoridated; fluoridating

transitive verb

: to add a fluoride to (something, such as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay
fluoridation noun

Examples of fluoridate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine in communities across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but still doesn't sit well with some people, and many countries don't fluoridate water for various reasons, including feasibility. Lisa Rathke, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Oct. 2022 In sparsely populated and largely rural Vermont, 29 of the 465 public water systems voluntarily fluoridate, and just over half of residents served by a public system get fluoridated water, according to the Vermont Department of Health. Lisa Rathke, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2022 The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine in communities across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but some people harbor concerns about it and many countries don’t fluoridate water for various reasons, including feasibility. Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Feb. 2023 Late last night, Portlanders rejected a plan to fluoridate their city’s water supply (and the water of over a dozen other cities). Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2013 The vote makes Portland one of the largest American cities not to fluoridate its water supply, second only to San Jose. Keith Kloor, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2013 Why would Portland fluoridate if this poster were right? Kyle Hill, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2013 The addition of fluoride to public drinking water systems has been routine across the United States since the 1940s and 1950s but still doesn't sit well with some people, and many countries don't fluoridate water for various reasons. Lisa Rathke, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2022 More than one-third of Canadian residents get fluoridated tap water, while a small percentage of European residents do. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluoridate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluoridate was in 1949

Dictionary Entries Near fluoridate

Cite this Entry

“Fluoridate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluoridate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fluoridate

verb
flu·​o·​ri·​date
ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt
fluoridated; fluoridating
: to add a fluoride to (as drinking water) in order to reduce tooth decay
fluoridation
ˌflu̇r-ə-ˈdā-shən
noun

Medical Definition

fluoridate

transitive verb
flu·​o·​ri·​date ˈflu̇r-ə-ˌdāt How to pronounce fluoridate (audio) ˈflōr- How to pronounce fluoridate (audio)
ˈflȯr-
fluoridated; fluoridating
: to add a fluoride to (as drinking water) to reduce tooth decay

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