detergent

American  

[dih-tur-juhnt] / dɪˈtɜr dʒənt /

noun

1. any of a group of synthetic, organic, liquid or water-soluble cleaning agents that, unlike soap, are not prepared from fats and oils, are not inactivated by hard water, and have wetting-agent and emulsifying-agent properties.

2. a similar substance that is oil-soluble and capable of holding insoluble foreign matter in suspension, used in lubricating oils, dry-cleaning preparations, etc.

3. any cleansing agent, including soap.

---

adjective

1. cleansing; purging.

detergent British  

/ dɪˈtɜːdʒənt /

noun

1. a cleansing agent, esp a surface-active chemical such as an alkyl sulphonate, widely used in industry, laundering, shampoos, etc

---

adjective

1. having cleansing power

detergent Scientific  

/ dĭ-tûr′jənt /

1. A cleaning agent that increases the ability of water to penetrate fabric and break down greases and dirt. Detergents act like soap but, unlike soaps, they are derived from organic acids rather than fatty acids. Their molecules surround particles of grease and dirt, allowing them to be carried away.

2. Compare soap

---

Other Word Forms

• nondetergent adjective

Etymology

Origin of detergent

First recorded in 1610–20; from French or directly from Latin dētergent- (stem of dētergēns, present participle of dētergēre ) “to wipe off”); deterge, -ent

Explanation

Detergent is a substance that's used for cleaning. Detergent is similar to soap, but it's stronger and dissolves more completely in water. Detergents are special, powerful cleansers that can break up dirt, oils, and grease in clothing or on dishes. You might buy laundry detergent for washing your dirty clothes and dish detergent for the sink full of plates and bowls after your dinner party. The Latin root of detergent is detergere, "to wipe away or cleanse."

Example Sentences

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is accepting nonperishable and household items such as boxed pasta, baby wipes and laundry detergent to distribute to workers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The company, whose signature brands include Tide detergent and Bounty paper towels, derives of about half of its sales from the U.S.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Everything became more expensive at the start of the year: meat, milk, salt, flour, potatoes, pasta, bananas, soap, toothpaste, socks, laundry detergent, and many medicines too.

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

P&G, for instance, began rolling out a stronger version of Tide detergent late last year.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 28, 2026

He brings in the butchered dirty meat and washes it in the sink with detergent and hot water.

From "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson

Related Words

• cleaner
• solvent