hydrogen

hy-dro-gen · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A colorless, odorless, highly flammable gas; the lightest and most abundant chemical element in the universe, with atomic number 1 and symbol H.

  2. 2.

    (Attributive) Relating to or powered by hydrogen.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    hydrogen bomb — a nuclear weapon that derives its energy from hydrogen fusion
  • •
    hydrogen fuel cell — a device that generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen
  • •
    hydrogen peroxide — a chemical compound (H2O2) used as a disinfectant and bleach

Related words

See also: element, helium, oxygen, water
Synonyms: H

Etymology

Coined in 1783 by French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, from Greek hydro- ("water") + -genes ("producing, born"), literally "water-producing," because burning hydrogen produces water.