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methylene blue
noun
: a basic thiazine dye C16H18ClN3S·3H2O used especially as a biological stain, an antidote in cyanide poisoning, and an oxidation-reduction indicator
Examples of methylene blue in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To gauge the fat content of the cream brought by farmers, the dairy would insert methylene blue in a sample and waited for its lactic acid to dissolve the color.
—Joseph Berger, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Jan. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'methylene blue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1882, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near methylene blue
Cite this Entry
“Methylene blue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methylene%20blue. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
methylene blue
noun
meth·y·lene blue
ˌmeth-ə-ˌlēn-
: a dye used as a biological stain and to reverse the effects of cyanide poisoning
Medical Definition
methylene blue
noun
: a basic thiazine dye C16H18ClN3S·3H2O used in the treatment of methemoglobinemia, as an antidote in cyanide poisoning, as a biological stain, and as an oxidation-reduction indicator
More from Merriam-Webster on methylene blue
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methylene blue
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