detergent

adjective

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de·ter·gent | \ di-ˈtər-jənt

Definition of detergent

(Entry 1 of 2)

: that cleanses : cleansing a detergent oil

detergent

noun

Definition of detergent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a cleansing agent: such as

a : soap

b : any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents

c : an oil-soluble substance that holds insoluble foreign matter in suspension and is used in lubricating oils and dry-cleaning solvents

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Examples of detergent in a Sentence

Noun We have tried different laundry detergents. add the detergent to the washing machine before putting in the clothes

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun McMillan at Dearborn Denim uses Woolite Dark detergent, which is designed to reduce fading on dark clothes, at home. — Joshua Bote, USA TODAY, "How often should you wash jeans? It's fine to wait weeks — even months, experts say," 30 Oct. 2019 Then wash them with dish detergent, scrubbing the clay ones with a wire brush or steel wool. — Boston.com Real Estate, "Ask the Gardener: Can you reuse container soil?," 17 Oct. 2019 Launched in May, the service sells brand-name goods like Tide detergent, Pantene shampoo, Gillette razors and Häagen-Dazs ice cream all in reusable packages. — CNN, "The world's biggest brands have a garbage problem. This man can help," 10 Oct. 2019 Cleanyst just launched a SodaStream-esque kit that makes soap, laundry detergent, and other household products ($199, cleanyst.com). — Zuzu Snyder, Marie Claire, "The Next 25 Years of Beauty," 10 Oct. 2019 Cleaning Assemble cleaning sprays, detergent, trash bags, and other necessities in a cabinet—or a handy pull-out shelf, as kitchen designed Jim Dove suggests—near the sink. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "The Kitchen Design Rule That Makes Life So Much Easier," 4 Oct. 2019 Drugstores have been dealing with competition from Amazon, which offers its Prime customers same-day delivery for detergent, toothpaste and millions of other products. — Tom Murphy, chicagotribune.com, "Walgreens to test drone deliveries via Google’s Wing," 19 Sep. 2019 As that Leave It to Beaver–era nickname implies, Loop delivers supermarket and drugstore staples—including toothpaste, detergent, mayonnaise, and ice cream—to consumers’ homes in durable, reusable containers. — Fortune Editors, Fortune, "Change the World 2019: Where Business Creates Virtuous Circles," 19 Aug. 2019 Think: paper towels, toilet paper, laundry detergent, garbage bags, and more. — Rebekah Lowin, Country Living, "These Amazon Prime Day Deals on Household Essentials Are HUGE," 15 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'detergent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Cite this Entry

“Detergent.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detergent. Accessed 6 December 2019.

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More Definitions for detergent

detergent

noun

English Language Learners Definition of detergent

: a powder or liquid that is used to clean clothes, dishes, etc. : a chemical substance that is like soap

See the full definition for detergent in the English Language Learners Dictionary

detergent

noun

de·ter·gent | \ di-ˈtər-jənt

Kids Definition of detergent

: a substance that cleans

detergent

adjective

de·ter·gent | \ di-ˈtər-jənt

Medical Definition of detergent

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having a cleansing action

detergent

noun

Medical Definition of detergent (Entry 2 of 2)

: a cleansing agent: as

a : soap sense 1

b : any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents

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