hydroxyl

noun

hy·drox·yl hī-ˈdräk-səl

: the chemical group, ion, or radical OH that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and is neutral or negatively charged

: hydroxide sense 1

hydroxylic

ˌhī-ˌdräk-ˈsi-lik

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web During photocatalysis, light is absorbed by photocatalysts that have the ability to create electron-hole pairs, which generate free hydroxyl radicals that are able to react with target pollutants and degrade them. —

IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023 After each lightning flash, the researchers found the concentrations of hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl increased by thousands of parts per trillion, Science News reports. —

Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2021 Seconding this theory, Ryugu also shows signs of being covered in hydroxyl, a material made up of hydrogen and oxygen. —

Korey Haynes, Discover Magazine, 19 Mar. 2019 In the end, the team will end up with estimates of atmospheric hydroxyl concentrations that date back to about 1880. —

Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2018 More proof: Glycerin, one of the best moisturizers available, is a polyol, a type of alcohol with multiple hydroxyl groups. —

Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 26 Sep. 2022 Use this small gadget to purify and clean your produce with hydroxyl water ion purification technology. —

Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 15 Sep. 2022 According to the authors, glycerol has a high concentration of hydroxyl groups, which in turn have a strong affinity with water molecules, creating strong hydrogen bonds. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2022 Watson, who is not involved in the TOLIMAN project, is part of a team that recently detected hydroxyl radicals — a component of water — in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a star about 400 light-years from Earth. —

NBC News, 24 Nov. 2021 See More

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