surfactant
noun
sur·fac·tant
(ˌ)sər-ˈfak-tənt 
ˈsər-ˌfak-
: a surface-active substance (such as a detergent)
surfactant
adjective
Examples of surfactant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Spending more time gently massaging your cleanser can help surfactants—compounds that enable water to mix with oil and dirt—do their job more effectively.
—
Cathy Cassata, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
However, the negative byproduct of the surfactants is that the resulting inks have a low concentration of 2D crystals and a high amount of residual surfactant, which is difficult to remove and degrades the electrical performance of the material.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2017
This mixture is introduced into a series of vessels, or cells, in which the surfactants cause the rare earth–bearing grains to bind selectively to bubbles floating to the top of the cells.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2024
Fortunately, this Avene cleansing foam takes care of it all for you, providing a thorough cleanse with Avene thermal spring water, non-sulfated surfactants, glycerin, and diglycerin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
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Cathy Cassata, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
However, the negative byproduct of the surfactants is that the resulting inks have a low concentration of 2D crystals and a high amount of residual surfactant, which is difficult to remove and degrades the electrical performance of the material.
—IEEE Spectrum, 2 Feb. 2017
This mixture is introduced into a series of vessels, or cells, in which the surfactants cause the rare earth–bearing grains to bind selectively to bubbles floating to the top of the cells.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Dec. 2024
Fortunately, this Avene cleansing foam takes care of it all for you, providing a thorough cleanse with Avene thermal spring water, non-sulfated surfactants, glycerin, and diglycerin.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surfactant
Cite this Entry
“Surfactant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surfactant. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
surfactant
noun
sur·fac·tant
(ˌ)sər-ˈfak-tənt, ˈsər-ˌ
: a surface-active substance
specifically
: a surface-active lipoprotein mixture which coats the alveoli and which prevents collapse of the lungs by reducing the surface tension of pulmonary fluids
surfactant
adjective
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