: 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
Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Even so, this detergent sheet is a great value at only 21 cents per medium load.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Apply Stain Treatment Use the pads of your fingers to gently massage a small amount of dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, or a commercial stain remover, such as Shout, into the stain.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detergent
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Adjective
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
Even so, this detergent sheet is a great value at only 21 cents per medium load.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
Noun
The traps, filled with water and detergent, captured mostly Diptera (flies) and Hemiptera (true bugs)—collected weekly during 15 summer seasons.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
Apply Stain Treatment Use the pads of your fingers to gently massage a small amount of dish soap, liquid laundry detergent, or a commercial stain remover, such as Shout, into the stain.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 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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