: 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
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
T-shirts with graphics or logos, for example, should be washed with bleach-free detergent.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 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
Add a dab of liquid detergent to remaining stains and lightly rub it in.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
T-shirts with graphics or logos, for example, should be washed with bleach-free detergent.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 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 17 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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