: 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
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
Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2010
Our tester used their Black+Decker washer with a detergent infusion to blast bugs from the grill of their car and found that the power washer stripped away all mess and detritus.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
This also allows access to the interior of the hood, which should be cleaned periodically using a mild detergent.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detergent
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Adjective
Insects are covered in waxy, water-repellent shells, but the velvet worm’s slime contains fat and detergent molecules that break past this defence.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2010
Our tester used their Black+Decker washer with a detergent infusion to blast bugs from the grill of their car and found that the power washer stripped away all mess and detritus.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Noun
Because of shorter rinse times, consider using less laundry detergent in the shorter cycle to reduce sudsing.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
This also allows access to the interior of the hood, which should be cleaned periodically using a mild detergent.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for detergent
Cite this Entry
“Detergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detergent. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt 
: able to clean : used in cleansing
detergent oil for engines
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that cleanses
especially
: a chemical product that is like soap in its ability to cleanse
Medical Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt
: having a cleansing action
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a cleansing agent: as
a
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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