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

Using green hydrogen as a reducing agent avoids these greenhouse gas emissions.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2024

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

Nitrates are best detected and determined by their yielding nitric oxide when treated with sulphuric acid and a suitable reducing agent, such as ferrous sulphate, mercury, or copper.

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