detergent

1 of 2

adjective

de·​ter·​gent di-ˈtər-jənt 

: that cleanses : cleansing

a detergent oil

detergent

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Synonyms of detergent

Noun

• soap

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

Adjective

Use cool water to avoid shrinkage, skip the fabric softener, and use a small amount of mild detergent to avoid detergent residue from lurking on the fabric after washing. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

How many detergent bottles Americans actually go through Americans buy more than 680 million bottles of liquid laundry detergent every year, according to a 2022 estimate from Seventh Generation. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Noun

Experts say to avoid washing darks with linty fabrics, overdoing the detergent and using the heavy-duty wash cycle, among other tips. — Jolie Kerr, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026

Grab a soft toothbrush and apply a small amount of stain remover—anything from a classic bar like Fels-Naptha to your go-to liquid detergent works. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1616, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1676, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing detergent

• dish detergent
• dishwashing detergent

Rhymes for detergent

• convergent
• divergent
• emergent
• insurgent
• resurgent
• urgent

Kids 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

: 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