sodium carbonate

noun

: a sodium salt of carbonic acid used especially in making soaps and chemicals, in water softening, in cleaning and bleaching, and in photography: such as
a
: a hygroscopic crystalline anhydrous strongly alkaline salt Na2CO3
b
: the transparent crystalline hydrate Na2CO3·10H2O found in nature as natron

Examples of sodium carbonate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Alternatively, soak the T-shirt in soda ash (sodium carbonate) for better color absorption. Nicole Harris, Parents, 25 Aug. 2023 To provide examples, a 2017 United States Geological Survey report on critical mineral resources noted that lithium carbonate is commonly produced from brine when reacted with sodium carbonate. Leia Larsen, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023 The company has developed an alternative refining method using sodium carbonate and lime instead of heavy sulfuric acid and other chemicals that generate undesirable byproducts. Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 9 May 2023 Look for detergents that contain ingredients like sodium carbonate or sodium citrate, which are known to be effective at softening water. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2023 Instead, they are made with natural ingredients like baking soda, sodium carbonate, and pure essential oils. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2023 Alternatively, dishwasher detergents that contain ingredients such as citric acid, sodium carbonate, and sodium bicarbonate can help reduce the risk of etching by neutralizing the alkaline effects of hard water. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 7 Apr. 2023 Along with the sodium carbonate, the ceramic support contains a conducting material such as carbon nanotubes. IEEE Spectrum, 28 May 2022 Shotaro Uchida prepares a mix of water, sodium carbonate and sea salt to make ramen dough. Elena Kadvany, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Nov. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sodium carbonate.' 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

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sodium carbonate was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near sodium carbonate

Cite this Entry

“Sodium carbonate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium%20carbonate. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

sodium carbonate

noun
: a sodium salt used especially in making soaps and chemicals, in water softening, in cleaning and bleaching, and in photography

Medical Definition

sodium carbonate

noun
: a sodium salt of carbonic acid used especially in making soaps and chemicals, in water softening, in cleaning and bleaching, and in photography: as
a
: a hygroscopic crystalline anhydrous strongly alkaline salt Na2CO3

More from Merriam-Webster on sodium carbonate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!