lye

noun

ˈlī 

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

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

Historically, most soap was made with lye, a highly caustic compound known for its impressive ability to break down grease. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2024

As Light can only shine but in the Eye, So Life doth only in a Motion lye. —Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 29 Jan. 2024

As the bodies accumulated, one of the co-owners even suggested getting rid of them by digging a big hole and treating them with lye or setting them on fire, according to the texts. —CBS News, 12 Jan. 2024

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

Kids Definition

lye

noun

ˈlī 

1

: 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

noun

ˈlī 

1

: 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)