DETERGENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does detergent mean? 

• DETERGENT (noun)
  The noun DETERGENT has 2 senses:

1. a surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering

2. a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension

  Familiarity information: DETERGENT used as a noun is rare.

• DETERGENT (adjective)
  The adjective DETERGENT has 1 sense:

1. having cleansing power

  Familiarity information: DETERGENT used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DETERGENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("detergent" is a kind of...):

surface-active agent; surfactant; wetter; wetting agent (a chemical agent capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid in which it is dissolved)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "detergent"):

anionic; anionic detergent; non-ionic detergent (a class of synthetic detergents in which the molecules do not ionize in aqueous solutions)

cationic detergent; invert soap (a class of synthetic detergents in which the surface-active part of the molecule is the cation)

SLS; sodium lauryl sulfate; sodium lauryl sulphate (a caustic detergent useful for removing grease; although commonly included in personal care items (shampoos and toothpastes etc.) it can irritate skin and should not be swallowed)

Derivation:

detergent (having cleansing power)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("detergent" is a kind of...):

cleaner; cleanser; cleansing agent (a preparation used in cleaning something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "detergent"):

dishwasher detergent; dishwashing detergent; dishwashing liquid (a low-sudsing detergent designed for use in dishwashers)

laundry detergent (any of various detergents designed for use in a washing machine for clothing)

liquid detergent (a detergent in liquid form)

Derivation:

deterge (wipe away; to wash off or out, cleanse; chiefly in medical use: to clear away foul matter from the body)

detergent (having cleansing power)

• DETERGENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Having cleansing power

Synonyms:

detergent; detersive

Similar:

purifying (freeing from noxious matter)

Derivation:

deterge (wipe away; to wash off or out, cleanse; chiefly in medical use: to clear away foul matter from the body)

detergence; detergency (detergent quality; the quality of having cleansing power)

detergent (a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension)

detergent (a surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering)

 Context examples 

It can be caused by chemical or physical means (for example, strong detergents or high-energy sound waves) or by infection with a strain virus that can lyse cells.

(Cytolytic Process, NCI Dictionary)

Chemically similar to detergents, they have been shown to alter the mucus barrier and the microbes associated with it.

(Food Additives Alter Gut Microbes, Cause Diseases in Mice, NIH)

Experimental condition created by disrupting cells with homogenization, sonication, detergents, or other treatment, leaving intracellular components exposed to controlled manipulation of the medium.

(Cell-free System, NIH CRISP Thesaurus)

Nitrilotriacetic acid is mainly used as a chelating and eluting agent and is found in laundry detergents.

(Nitrilotriacetic Acid, NCI Thesaurus)

To overcome this barrier, dispersants contain an organic solvent that helps the oil, detergents and water mix.

(Sunlight reduces effectiveness of dispersants used to clean up oil spills, National Science Foundation)

Docetaxel emulsion ANX-514 is formulated without polysorbate 80 or other detergents in order to reduce the incidence and severity of hypersensitivity reactions.

(Docetaxel Emulsion ANX-514, NCI Thesaurus)

This can be caused by chemical or physical means (for example, strong detergents or high-energy sound waves) or by infection with a strain of virus that can lyse cells.

(Oncolysis, NCI Dictionary)

It is composed of Polymyxins E1 and E2 (or Colistins A, B, and C) which act as detergents on cell membranes.

(Colistin Sulfate, NCI Thesaurus)

Dietary emulsifiers, which are chemically similar to detergents, are added to many processed foods to improve texture and extend shelf life.

(Food additives promote inflammation, colon cancer in mice, National Institutes of Health)

A strong-smelling oil taken from the leaves is used in perfumes, incense, detergents, and hair conditioners.

(Patchouli, NCI Dictionary)