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.
Because the area near the anode tends to become acidic while the area near the cathode becomes alkaline, bringing these regions closer together and circulating the liquid helps counterbalance their effects.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 12, 2026
Those groups create chemically reactive sites, allowing the alkaline treatment to break down materials that would otherwise remain largely inert.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 31, 2026
Another is ocean alkalinity, in which alkaline rocks are dispersed in the sea to capture carbon and neutralize it in seawater.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 17, 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.
