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.

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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

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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

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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

Better laundry detergent might help clothing last a little longer.

From MarketWatch

We go to work wiping down the boxes of detergent, the plastic-wrapped toilet paper, the popcorn, the tools, rakes, and trowels.

From Literature

TerraSafe, a North Carolina-based startup that specializes in nonplastic food packaging, used it on a side project—creating laundry detergent sheets that dissolve fully in the wash without sacrificing cleaning power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Many common products, including plastics and detergents, rely on chemical reactions that depend on catalysts made from precious metals such as platinum.

From Science Daily

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cleaner
• solvent