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quaternary ammonium compound
noun
: any of numerous strong bases and their salts derived from ammonium by replacement of the hydrogen atoms with organic radicals and important especially as surface-active agents, disinfectants, and drugs
Examples of quaternary ammonium compound in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The chemical is a quaternary ammonium compound.
—Scott McCartney, WSJ, 30 Sep. 2020
The Environmental Working Group’s senior research and database analyst Samara Geller told Apartment Therapy that dryer sheets contain a potentially harmful chemical called quaternary ammonium compounds (QACS).
—Megan Schaltegger, House Beautiful, 30 Apr. 2019
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Word History
First Known Use
circa 1934, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of quaternary ammonium compound was
circa 1934
Dictionary Entries Near quaternary ammonium compound
Cite this Entry
“Quaternary ammonium compound.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quaternary%20ammonium%20compound. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
quaternary ammonium compound
noun
: any of numerous strong bases and their salts derived from ammonium by replacement of the hydrogen atoms with organic radicals and important especially as surface-active agents, disinfectants, and drugs
called also quat, quaternary
More from Merriam-Webster on quaternary ammonium compound
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quaternary ammonium compound
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