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

Example Sentences

Colored shampoo and detergent bottles, made from polyethylene, or #1 plastic, are getting recycled at a rate of just 5%.

From Los Angeles Times

For humans, it is a foul, laborious job that entails standing over a conveyor belt, plucking beer cans and detergent bottles from a stream of refuse.

From The Wall Street Journal

He then started his career in marketing at consumer-goods conglomerates, working on brands from detergents to dairy products.

From The Wall Street Journal

Previous structural studies of the TCR had relied on detergent, which often strips away the surrounding membrane.

From Science Daily

Through several controlled steps, the researchers then remove the detergent clusters and replace them with air.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• cleaner
• solvent