sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle solid NaOH that is a strong caustic base used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Examples of sodium hydroxide in a Sentence

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The natural oils are then mixed with either potassium hydroxide to create a liquid soap or sodium hydroxide to create a solid soap. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024 For Christmas before his 7th birthday, Heman was given a chemistry set that came with a sample of sodium hydroxide. Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 Aug. 2024 Removing them typically involves toxic reagents such as hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, or sodium hydroxide. IEEE Spectrum, 17 June 2024 By the mid-1980s, many manufacturers had removed sodium hydroxide from its relaxer ingredient list. Linda Villarosa Robin Miles Krish Seenivasan Alec K. Redfearn, New York Times, 13 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sodium hydroxide 

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sodium hydroxide was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near sodium hydroxide

Cite this Entry

“Sodium hydroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium%20hydroxide. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun
: a white brittle solid that is strongly alkaline and is used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Medical Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun
: a white brittle deliquescent solid NaOH that dissolves readily in water to form a strongly alkaline and caustic solution and that is used in pharmacy as an alkalizing agent

called also caustic soda

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