ion exchange
noun
: a reversible interchange of one kind of ion present on an insoluble solid with another of like charge present in a solution surrounding the solid with the reaction being used especially for softening or demineralizing water, the purification of chemicals, or the separation of substances
ion exchanger
noun
Examples of ion exchange in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its projects span areas such as membrane separation, nanobubble technology, biological treatment processes, ion exchange, and advanced oxidation systems.
—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Inspired by wetland plants like mangroves, 12-year-old Ella Barth and Esme Tsai’s prototype glass funnel uses layers of coffee filter paper, gravel, sand, ion exchange resin, charcoal and cotton, mimicking a natural filtration process to help rid local tap water of its chalky taste.
—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
The two filtration methods proven to remove nitrates from water are reverse osmosis systems and ion exchange filters, according to the EWG.
—
Ryan Brennan
may 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
The Louviers Water & Sanitation District's ion exchange filtration system that removes radium.
—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
In general, keeping the ion exchange membrane intact is one of the biggest challenges for scaling this type of process, says Feifei Shi, assistant professor of energy engineering at Penn State.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Feb. 2026
Domestic supply potential The company’s method relies on low-temperature ion exchange rather than high-heat processing or heavy acids, with recovery rates of up to 95 percent.
—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
Salt sometimes is actually high in well water because of the presence of a treatment system that relies on ion exchange to remove nuisance elements like iron and manganese.
—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
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Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Inspired by wetland plants like mangroves, 12-year-old Ella Barth and Esme Tsai’s prototype glass funnel uses layers of coffee filter paper, gravel, sand, ion exchange resin, charcoal and cotton, mimicking a natural filtration process to help rid local tap water of its chalky taste.
—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
The two filtration methods proven to remove nitrates from water are reverse osmosis systems and ion exchange filters, according to the EWG.
—
Ryan Brennan
may 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
The Louviers Water & Sanitation District's ion exchange filtration system that removes radium.
—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
29 Apr. 2026
In general, keeping the ion exchange membrane intact is one of the biggest challenges for scaling this type of process, says Feifei Shi, assistant professor of energy engineering at Penn State.
—
IEEE Spectrum,
26 Feb. 2026
Domestic supply potential The company’s method relies on low-temperature ion exchange rather than high-heat processing or heavy acids, with recovery rates of up to 95 percent.
—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Dec. 2025
Salt sometimes is actually high in well water because of the presence of a treatment system that relies on ion exchange to remove nuisance elements like iron and manganese.
—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ion exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ion%20exchange. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
ion exchange
noun
ion ex·change
-iks-ˈchānj 
: a reversible interchange of one kind of ion present on an insoluble solid with another of like charge present in a solution surrounding the solid with the reaction being used especially for softening or demineralizing water, purifying chemicals, or separating substances
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