-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
1
: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing
broadly
: a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)
2
: a solid caustic (such as sodium hydroxide)
Examples of lye in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Combine melted beeswax with an assortment of oils, such as palm oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil, scented essential oils, water, and lye.
—
Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024
In their messages, the couple had discussed dumping the bodies into a hole, then treating them with lye or setting them on fire.
—
Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Sep. 2024
Before detergents, soaps made from tallow, lye, and water were the norm.
—
Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Florence recalled growing up in a shotgun house her father built on that land, and learning to make lye soap from hog fat and dandelion wine from their garden.
—
Essence, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for lye ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-12-18--20-23-12-b75bdj/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English lēag; akin to Old High German louga lye, Latin lavare, lavere to wash, Greek louein
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of lye was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near lye
Cite this Entry
“Lye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lye. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
lye
noun1
: a strong alkaline liquid obtained from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and in washing
2
: any of various strong alkaline liquids
especially
: sodium hydroxide
3
: a solid compound (as caustic soda) that causes chemical burns
Medical Definition
lye
noun1
: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and washing
broadly
: a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)
2
: a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)
More from Merriam-Webster on lye
Nglish: Translation of lye for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lye for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lye
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share