hydroxyl

American  

[hahy-drok-suhl] / haɪˈdrɒk səl /

Or hydroxy

adjective

1. containing the hydroxyl group.

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hydroxyl British  

/ haɪˈdrɒksɪl /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the monovalent group -OH or the ion OH ^–

   a hydroxyl group or radical

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hydroxyl Scientific  

/ hī-drŏk′sĭl /

1. The group OH. Hydroxyl is present in bases, certain acids, hydroxides, and alcohols.

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Other Word Forms

• hydroxylic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hydroxyl

First recorded in 1865–70; hydr- ² + ox(y)- ² + -yl

Compare meaning

How does hydroxyl compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hydroxyl vs. alcohol

Example Sentences

Throughout the process, Huml also uses a variety of machines to clean the air, including air scrubbers, deodorizing hydroxyl generators and negative air machines that clean the air and push it outside.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2025

This is because hydroxyl radicals form in the atmosphere close to the ground during the day when the sun shines.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2024

The free radical species generated, hydroxyl radical, is extremely reactive and hits DNA like a shotgun blast, causing damage everywhere, Burrows said.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

"This incision by ERCC1-XPF creates a markable free hydroxyl group in the DNA, enabling us to sequence DNA and locate these breaks," explains Dr. Son.

From Science Daily • Mar. 12, 2024

One-third of which is of benzenoid type The lignone contains but little hydroxyl.

From Researches on Cellulose 1895-1900 by Cross, C. F.