reagent
Americannoun
noun
-
A substance participating in a chemical reaction, especially one used to detect, measure, or produce another substance.
-
Compare agent
Etymology
Origin of reagent
Explanation
A reagent is a substance used to create a chemical reaction. Reagents cause transformations. Chemists love reagents because they cause chemical reactions. For example, a certain type of reagent could tell a chemist if something contains a poison. Like a reactant or a catalyst, a reagent makes something happen. It can help you remember reagents are active if you remember that other agents — like secret agents — are also active and make things happen.
Vocabulary lists containing reagent
Chemistry - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chemistry - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Chemistry - Middle School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Elevated diesel prices will drive up costs of everything from contract mining, consumables, reagent freight and contract haulage to export logistics, shipping and mine-site aviation, it says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
But a blood enhancement chemical reagent uncovered a footwear mark and drag mark on the floor.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
The two-part process is powered by sunlight, occurs at room temperature and at ambient pressure, and employs a recyclable organic reagent that's similar to a catalyst found in natural photosynthesis.
From Science Daily • Mar. 20, 2024
Erb’s team set out to devise a simpler approach, creating the “AAA cycle” in which four enzymes in solution harness electricity and use it to convert ADP, added as a reagent, into ATP.
From Science Magazine • Aug. 22, 2023
“She lives down here. I’m worried that she might be hurt. A lot of the reagent went down the drains from the Fishery.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
