Copy Citation
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get right?
TAKE THE QUIZcalcium hydroxide
noun
: a white crystalline strong alkali Ca(OH)2 that is used especially to make mortar and plaster and to soften water
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
The sodium silicate reacts with the calcium hydroxide embedded in the concrete to form a malleable gel that covers the holes and hardens within a week of activation.
—
Jeremy Jacquot, Discover Magazine, 3 Sep. 2010
To make tamales, corn kernels are steeped in water and calcium hydroxide (lye)—a process called nixtamalization—then rinsed, drained, and milled to be turned into masa, a nutritious and filling paste seasoned with salt and lard or oil.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 1 July 2022
His creation allows air to pass through a warehouse filled with calcium hydroxide.
—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 23 June 2022
It’s three ingredients: water and maíz and cal [calcium hydroxide].
—Leslie Brenner, Bon Appétit, 29 Sep. 2021
For the better half of a decade, Sant’s research has focused on streamlining a process of combining carbon dioxide from factory flue gas streams with calcium hydroxide to form concrete.
—Ally Hirschlag, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 June 2021
What their research found is that a suspension of water and calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, which could be added into those pools, had the ability to stop acidification in its tracks.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 2 Nov. 2020
Bone is a dynamic, living organ, composed of long coils of a protein called collagen, stiffened by crystals of calcium hydroxide and phosphate—hydroxyapatite—to give the vertebrate body its framework.
—John J. Ross, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2020
The enlarged calcium carbonate pellets now get sent to the third and final stage: heating that separates them into pure CO2 gas and calcium hydroxide that can go back to stage two.
—Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 7 June 2018
See More
Jeremy Jacquot, Discover Magazine, 3 Sep. 2010
To make tamales, corn kernels are steeped in water and calcium hydroxide (lye)—a process called nixtamalization—then rinsed, drained, and milled to be turned into masa, a nutritious and filling paste seasoned with salt and lard or oil.
—Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 1 July 2022
His creation allows air to pass through a warehouse filled with calcium hydroxide.
—Pranshu Verma, Washington Post, 23 June 2022
It’s three ingredients: water and maíz and cal [calcium hydroxide].
—Leslie Brenner, Bon Appétit, 29 Sep. 2021
For the better half of a decade, Sant’s research has focused on streamlining a process of combining carbon dioxide from factory flue gas streams with calcium hydroxide to form concrete.
—Ally Hirschlag, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 June 2021
What their research found is that a suspension of water and calcium hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, which could be added into those pools, had the ability to stop acidification in its tracks.
—Sara Kiley Watson, Popular Science, 2 Nov. 2020
Bone is a dynamic, living organ, composed of long coils of a protein called collagen, stiffened by crystals of calcium hydroxide and phosphate—hydroxyapatite—to give the vertebrate body its framework.
—John J. Ross, WSJ, 30 Oct. 2020
The enlarged calcium carbonate pellets now get sent to the third and final stage: heating that separates them into pure CO2 gas and calcium hydroxide that can go back to stage two.
—Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, 7 June 2018
See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'calcium hydroxide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
First Known Use
1872, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of calcium hydroxide was
in 1872
Dictionary Entries Near calcium hydroxide
Cite this Entry
“Calcium hydroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calcium%20hydroxide. Accessed 7 Feb. 2023.
Kids Definition
calcium hydroxide
noun
: a white compound in the form of crystals that is used especially in making mortar and plaster and in softening water
More from Merriam-Webster on calcium hydroxide
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about calcium hydroxide
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
A Good Old-Fashioned Quiz
Can you name these antiquated items?
Take the quiz
-
Which Came First?
"Leggings" or "mom jeans"? "Chillax" or "dumpster...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Hear a word and type it out. How many can you get...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share