hydroxyl

noun

hy·​drox·​yl hī-ˈdräk-səl How to pronounce hydroxyl (audio)
1
: the chemical group, ion, or radical OH that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and is neutral or negatively charged
2
hydroxylic adjective

Examples of hydroxyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Previous studies have revealed that protons from the solar wind that bombards the moon can absorb electrons from materials at its surface, forming atomic hydrogen that then reacts with oxygen atoms from silicate rocks to make hydroxyl—a molecule just one hydrogen atom short of water. Leonard David, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2020 Those measurements focused on a shorter, three-micron wavelength that was more ambiguous, unable to differentiate between a water molecule, which consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom or hydroxyl, which has one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2020 The goal of this latest expedition, which is scheduled to return mid-February, is to see whether concentrations of an atmospheric molecule called hydroxyl, or OH, has changed over time since the industrial revolution. Anna Funk, Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2018 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydroxyl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

hydr- + ox- + -yl

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydroxyl was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near hydroxyl

Cite this Entry

“Hydroxyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroxyl. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hydroxyl

noun
hy·​drox·​yl hī-ˈdräk-səl How to pronounce hydroxyl (audio)
: a chemical group or ion that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen

Medical Definition

hydroxyl

noun
hy·​drox·​yl hī-ˈdräk-səl How to pronounce hydroxyl (audio)
1
: the chemical group or ion OH that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and is neutral or positively charged
2
hydroxylic adjective
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