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sodium carbonate

noun

Definition of sodium carbonate

: 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

 The proportion of magnesia in inlays and window glass from Samarra’s palaces suggests plant ash, rather than natron, as the source of sodium carbonate in the glassmaking process. — Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, "Medieval artisans built a glass-walled palace in the desert," 31 Aug. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sodium carbonate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sodium carbonate

1868, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of sodium carbonate was in 1868

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More Definitions for sodium carbonate

sodium carbonate

noun

Medical Definition of sodium carbonate

: 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
b : washing soda

More from Merriam-Webster on sodium carbonate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sodium carbonate

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