leaching

American  

[leech-ing] / ˈlitʃ ɪŋ /

noun

leachings plural

1. the dissolution or removal of substances out of soil, ashes, or the like by a process of percolation.

2. an instance of such dissolution, or a substance removed in this way.

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leaching Scientific  

/ lē′chĭng /

1. The removal of soluble material from a substance, such as soil or rock, through the percolation of water. Organic matter is typically removed from a soil horizon and soluble metals or salts from a rock by leaching. Leaching differs from eluviation in that it affects soluble, not suspended, material and often results in the complete removal of the material from the soil or rock.

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Other Word Forms

• non-leaching
  adjective

Example Sentences

The chemical is essential in the leaching process of copper, which involves extracting the metal from copper ore.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Despite recycling efforts, most plastic ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to decompose, leaching out chemicals during that time, Deeney said.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Audience trust is leaching away fast and Brits are increasingly refusing to pay up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Regular tests show surface water in the Faughan is not affected, but groundwater under the landfill is polluted and the aim is to prevent this leaching into the river.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2025

And was his conscience not needling him, leaching some of the sweetness from his victory?

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer