aluminum sulfate

noun

: a white salt Al2(SO4)3 usually made by treating bauxite with sulfuric acid and used in making paper, in water purification, and in tanning

Examples of aluminum sulfate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Regulators suspect a significant portion of Stauffer’s waste is alum mud, a radioactive sludge that is a byproduct of producing aluminum sulfate. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024 The most common, reliable, and affordable treatment is coagulation/filtration, which uses aluminum sulfate to consolidate both inorganic mercury and methylmercury into a solid that can be removed from the water and summarily disposed of at a hazardous waste site. Gia Mora, Treehugger, 8 Mar. 2023 Chesterton firefighters applied oil dry to the roadway to contain leaking fluids from the truck and put up a light tower, not clearing the scene until 5:54 a.m. The truck was hauling aluminum sulfate, a nontoxic powder used in the purification of drinking water. Amy Lavalley, chicagotribune.com, 13 Apr. 2021 Savvy consumers will notice potassium aluminum sulfate listed in the ingredients of this deodorant, which is a mineral salt with astringent and antimicrobial properties. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 19 Apr. 2022 To make the iron in the soil more readily available, the soil should be treated with an acidifying agent such as sulfur, iron sulfate (copperas), aluminum sulfate or a liquid soil acidifier. Dan Gill, NOLA.com, 27 Jan. 2021 At this point, the water still has the tea-like color of river water, which the plants eliminate using aluminum sulfate. Eric Roper, Star Tribune, 9 Oct. 2020 To encourage your hydrangeas to bloom blue, apply aluminum sulfate now and again in March, following package directions. Dan Gill, NOLA.com, 30 Sep. 2020 Maine Auburn: Workers are going to be putting aluminum sulfate in Lake Auburn this week to fight algae. USA TODAY, 9 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aluminum sulfate was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near aluminum sulfate

Cite this Entry

“Aluminum sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aluminum%20sulfate. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

aluminum sulfate

noun
: a white salt made from bauxite and used in making paper, purifying water, and tanning

Medical Definition

aluminum sulfate

noun
: a colorless salt Al2(SO4)3 that is a powerful astringent and is used as a local antiperspirant and in water purification

More from Merriam-Webster on aluminum sulfate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!