sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle solid NaOH that is a strong caustic base used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Examples of sodium hydroxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The tank contained sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate, officials have said. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 29 May 2026

White liquor is a chemical mixture of sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate used in the paper-making process, according to Goldstein. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 27 May 2026

White liquor, which is made mostly of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, is used with heat to break down wood to make kraft paper, a durable material used in packaging, shopping bags and other products. —Claire Rush, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

White liquor typically contains sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, chemicals widely used in kraft pulp manufacturing. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sodium hydroxide

• monoxide
• tetroxide

Kids Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle solid that is strongly alkaline and is used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Medical Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle deliquescent solid NaOH that dissolves readily in water to form a strongly alkaline and caustic solution and that is used in pharmacy as an alkalizing agent

called also caustic soda