Benedict's solution

noun

Ben·​e·​dict's solution ˈbe-nə-ˌdik(t)s- How to pronounce Benedict's solution (audio)
: a blue solution containing a carbonate, citrate, and sulfate which yields a red, yellow, or orange precipitate upon warming with a sugar (such as glucose) that is a reducing agent

Word History

Etymology

Stanley Rossiter Benedict †1936 American chemist

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Benedict's solution was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near Benedict's solution

Cite this Entry

“Benedict's solution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Benedict%27s%20solution. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Benedict's solution

noun
Ben·​e·​dict's solution ˈben-ə-ˌdik(t)s- How to pronounce Benedict's solution (audio)
: a blue liquid that is used to detect some sugars (as glucose) with which it reacts when warmed to produce a red, yellow, or orange solid that separates from the liquid

Medical Definition

Benedict's solution

noun
Ben·​e·​dict's solution ˈben-ə-ˌdik(t)(s)- How to pronounce Benedict's solution (audio)
: a blue solution that contains sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, and copper sulfate CuSO4 and is used to test for reducing sugars in Benedict's test
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!