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

Petroleum is also used to make detergents that help toothpaste foam and synthetics that improve shelf life.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lyondell is a world leader in polypropylene—think the cap on a bottle of detergent.

From Barron's

Once they’re around the corner and out of sight, I go up to the treehouse, where the T-shirt and sweats I lent Jonah are in the corner, neatly folded and smelling like his laundry detergent.

From Literature

Researchers use it to improve proteins such as enzymes and antibodies that play important roles in medicine, industrial manufacturing, and even everyday products like laundry detergents.

From Science Daily

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

Related Words

• cleaner
• solvent