borax

1 of 2

noun (1)

bo·​rax ˈbȯr-ˌaks  -əks 

: a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used especially as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener, as a preservative, and as a fireproofing agent

borax

2 of 2

noun (2)

: cheap shoddy merchandise

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What are the Uses of borax?

A borate of sodium that occurs as a soft, light, colorless crystalline mineral, borax has a wide variety of uses. It can be used as a component of glass and pottery glazes in the ceramics industry, as a solvent in metallurgy, as a flux in welding and soldering, and as a fertilizer additive, a soap supplement, a disinfectant, a mouthwash, and a water softener. About 50 percent of the world’s supply comes from southern Californian deserts, including Death Valley.

Examples of borax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Treat Tough Stains Combine one tablespoon of borax to two tablespoons of water to create a paste. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2024

Mix together 1 cup oxygen bleach, 1/2 cup borax, and 2 Tbsp. dish detergent in 1 gallon water. —Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 July 2024

In addition to nitrate, the territory contains guano, copper, silver and tin and deposits of salt and borax. —Edwin M. Borchard, Foreign Affairs, 7 Oct. 2011

The fire, one of two that day, occurred just after midnight April 4 behind the Borax Museum and destroyed a wooden wagon used to transport borax out of Death Valley in the late 1800s. —Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English boras, from Anglo-French boreis, from Medieval Latin borac-, borax, from Arabic būraq, from Persian būrah

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1932, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

borax

noun

bo·​rax

ˈbō(ə)r-ˌaks,

ˈbȯ(ə)r-

: a borate of sodium that occurs as a mineral and is used in agricultural chemicals, as a cleansing agent, and as a water softener

Medical Definition

borax

noun

bo·​rax ˈbō(ə)r-ˌaks  ˈbȯ(ə)r- 

-əks

: a white crystalline compound that consists of a hydrated sodium borate Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O, that occurs as a mineral or is prepared from other minerals, and that is used especially as a flux, cleansing agent, and water softener and as a preservative