Definition of alkylbenzene sulfonate
: a derivative of benzene that is used in detergents as a surfactant Alkylbenzene sulfonates are another member of this class and are used as detergents, corrosion inhibitors and emulsifiers in both automotive and industrial lubricants.— Neil Canter, Tribology & Lubrication Technology, March 2010
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share alkylbenzene sulfonate
Time Traveler for alkylbenzene sulfonate
The first known use of alkylbenzene sulfonate was in 1955
See more words from the same year