Definition

1. Noun:
   • A salt of hydrochloric acid: A chemical compound containing the chloride ion (Cl⁻), typically formed when chlorine reacts with a metal or another element.
   • A compound containing a chlorine atom: Any chemical substance where a chlorine atom is bonded to another element or group, often with the chlorine in a negative oxidation state.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Sodium chloride is common table salt.
  • The laboratory test detected high levels of chloride in the water sample.
  • Calcium chloride is often used to melt ice on roads.

Advanced Usage

• "Chloride channel": A protein in cell membranes that allows chloride ions to pass through.
  • Malfunctioning chloride channels can cause certain genetic diseases.
• "Chloride shift": A process in red blood cells where bicarbonate ions are exchanged for chloride ions.
  • The chloride shift is essential for transporting carbon dioxide in the blood.

Variants and Related Words

• Hydrogen chloride (HCl): A gas that dissolves in water to form hydrochloric acid.
  • Hydrogen chloride is a pungent, corrosive gas.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC): A common synthetic plastic polymer.
  • The pipes are made from polyvinyl chloride.
• Chlorinate (verb): To treat or combine with chlorine.
  • They chlorinate the water to make it safe for drinking.

Synonyms

• Halide: A general term for a compound containing a halogen ion (e.g., fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide).
• Chlorine compound: A broader term for any substance containing chlorine atoms.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Chloride ion (Cl⁻): The negatively charged ion of chlorine, central to the definition of a chloride.
  • The concentration of chloride ions is measured in this test.
• Chloride of lime: An older, common name for bleaching powder (calcium hypochlorite).
  • Chloride of lime was historically used as a disinfectant.

Noun

1. any salt of hydrochloric acid (containing the chloride ion)
2. any compound containing a chlorine atom