Definition of anionic detergent
: any of a class of synthetic detergents usually consisting essentially of an alkali metal salt or an ammonium salt of a strong acid containing 12 to 24 carbon atoms together with an inorganic salt (as sodium sulfate) and, for heavy-duty laundering, a builder (as sodium tripolyphosphate):as
a
: an alkyl aryl sulfonate (as sodium dodecyl-benzene-sulfonate C12H25C6H4SO3Na)
b
: a salt (as sodium lauryl sulfate C12H25SO4Na) of a sulfated alcohol
