adjective
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Capable of neutralizing an acid. Bases are alkaline.
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Relating to an alkali compound.
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Having a pH greater than 7.
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Having a relatively low concentration of hydrogen ions.
Etymology
Origin of alkaline
Vocabulary lists containing alkaline
Chemistry - High School
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Chemistry - Middle School
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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.
Despite its vivid blue appearance, the water at the quarry - dubbed the Blue Lagoon - is highly alkaline and potentially harmful, with a pH level comparable to bleach.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
White liquor is an alkaline chemical containing sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
The rhenium component helped hydrogen attach to and release from the catalyst surface, while the molybdenum sped up the splitting of water in the alkaline electrolyte.
From Science Daily • May 18, 2026
It is one of the only spas with natural, alkaline hot springs in L.A., so the water is just heavenly.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
When the soil is too alkaline, which can be thought of as being too sweet, you need to add sulfur.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
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.
