desiccant

noun

des·​ic·​cant ˈde-si-kənt How to pronounce desiccant (audio)
: a drying agent (such as calcium chloride)

Examples of desiccant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The liquid salt desiccant then runs through a heat pump system to be recharged. Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 29 Aug. 2023 The problem is a lack of a desiccant or chemical drying agent that would otherwise prevent the ammonium nitrate propellant from taking on moisture due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 4 May 2023 Submerge your phone in a desiccant—a substance that will induce dryness by absorbing water. Courtney Linder, Popular Mechanics, 1 Apr. 2022 In the absorber units the desiccant is sprinkled through a mesh to increase the surface area as air is drawn over it by a fan. IEEE Spectrum, 3 Feb. 2023 Salt acts as a desiccant, pulling water from meat fibers. Jeffrey Gardner, USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2022 This minimizes humidity getting into the medicine bottle and also removes the risk of swallowing the desiccant by mistake. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 1 Apr. 2022 Killgrove said chestnut oaks contain tannin, a natural desiccant, a type of drying agent. Chiara Vercellone, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2016 Step #3: Use a Desiccant Now, here's the most important part: submerge your phone in a desiccant, or a substance that will induce dryness by absorbing water. Joel Johnson, Popular Mechanics, 5 May 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desiccant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of desiccant was in 1676

Dictionary Entries Near desiccant

Cite this Entry

“Desiccant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desiccant. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

desiccant

1 of 2 adjective
des·​ic·​cant ˈdes-i-kənt How to pronounce desiccant (audio)
: tending to dry or desiccate

desiccant

2 of 2 noun
: a drying agent (as calcium chloride)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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