reducing agent

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. a substance that causes another substance to undergo reduction and that is oxidized in the process.

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reducing agent British  

noun

1. chem a substance that reduces another substance in a chemical reaction, being itself oxidized in the process Compare oxidizing agent

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Etymology

Origin of reducing agent

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Coke does not only produce the energy required for melting, but also serves as a reducing agent in the chemical reaction.

From Science Daily • Dec. 21, 2023

But the milling did prompt the aluminium to act as a reducing agent, as he expected.

From Scientific American • Mar. 30, 2023

"What we do is basically swapping carbon for electricity as a reducing agent," explained Adam Rauwerdink, the company's senior vice president of business development.

From Salon • May 17, 2022

The production and use of iron became much more widespread about 1620, when coke was introduced as the reducing agent.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Sometimes the solution, instead of remaining colourless, gradually develops a blue which recurs in spite of the further addition of the reducing agent.

From A Text-book of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. by Beringer, Cornelius