relaxer

noun

re·​lax·​er ri-ˈlak-sər How to pronounce relaxer (audio)
plural relaxers
: something or someone that relaxes or produces relaxation
What makes the neck relaxer so good is how it stretches your spine and neck.Thomas Price
Another reliable relaxer is autogenic training, a kind of self-programming that creates the relaxation response through suggestion.Lonny J. Brown
[Relief pitcher Tommy] Hunter will take a few days off from throwing before resuming work. The spasms typically go away with rest and muscle relaxersSt. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press
especially : a usually chemical treatment used to straighten curly and especially kinky (see kinky sense 1) hair
I have naturally curly hair, but I prefer to wear it straight—I always have. Getting a relaxer was pretty much my only solution to making styling my hair a shorter and easier process. But, naturally, they're not for everyone. Andrea Navarro
If you have natural hair, then you may have considered getting a hair relaxer at some point. After all, taking care of your curls can be time-consuming, which can make having sleek, super-straight hair straight out of bed sound pretty appealing. And with the relaxers growing in popularity once again … you may be particularly curious about them right now. lorealparisusa.com
Hair relaxers have been around for over a century and are used to chemically straighten hair by getting into the cuticle and cortex layers. During this process, the curly, wavy, or kinky hair patterns are straightened out, resulting in that quintessential straight, sleek look. Del Sandeen

Examples of relaxer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The causes for these can be due to a number of different things, such as excessive heat styling, chemical treatments like hair dyeing or relaxers, and harsh ingredients in hair products. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2024 It’s suspected that some questionable chemicals in relaxers can contribute to hormone imbalances or endocrine disorders and fibroids. Humeara Mohamed, refinery29.com, 7 June 2024 Briogeo Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Deep Conditioner Mask $39 Nordstrom $39 Dermstore $39 Revolve Chemical Damage Chemical treatments, like relaxers and perms, can strip the hair and lead to breakage. Annie Blay, Allure, 26 July 2024 My mother, who has six daughters, was introduced to relaxers by a friend. Hannah Uguru, refinery29.com, 26 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for relaxer 

Word History

Etymology

relax + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of relaxer was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near relaxer

Cite this Entry

“Relaxer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relaxer. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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