alkali

noun

al·ka·li | \ ˈal-kə-ˌlī

plural alkalies or alkalis

Definition of alkali

1 : a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate broadly : a substance (such as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties — compare base sense 6a

2 : alkali metal

3 : a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture

Examples of alkali in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Baking soda is a mild alkali that's effective at dissolving dirt and grease. — Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Remove Oil Stains from Your Driveway," 2 Nov. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. — oregonlive, "Spring cleaning: Easy fixes before heading back to work," 28 May 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. — oregonlive, "How to sanitize upholstery and home surfaces without damaging them in a coronavirus clean," 20 Mar. 2020 The company, which acquired several area properties from Dow Chemical in 2015, previously announced plans to close its chlor alkali and vinylidene chloride plants in Freeport in 2020 to cut costs. — Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, "Chemical company renovates Lake Jackson building for base of Texas operations," 12 Feb. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. — oregonlive, "How to sanitize upholstery and home surfaces without damaging them in a coronavirus clean," 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. — oregonlive, "How to sanitize upholstery and home surfaces without damaging them in a coronavirus clean," 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. — oregonlive, "How to sanitize upholstery and home surfaces without damaging them in a coronavirus clean," 20 Mar. 2020 According to one report on recent cases of milk-alkali syndrome, the question is almost impossible to answer for the general population. — Claire Maldarelli, Popular Science, "What happens if you eat too many Tums?," 28 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alkali.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.