Definition of surfactant
: a surface-active substance (such as a detergent)
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Recent Examples of surfactant from the Web
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The mussels also contained four kinds of synthetic surfactants -- the chemicals found in detergents and cleaning products -- seven kinds of antibiotics, five types of antidepressants, more than one antidiabetic drug and one chemotherapy agent.
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Compounds that lower water’s surface tension are called surfactants, which work by separating the water molecules from one another.
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The campaign will identify products that are made without ingredients like surfactants (chemicals used to help clean and create suds) SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, musks, or mineral oil.
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But surfactants lower surface tension, which means that a rising bubble doesn’t immediately burst.
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Steer clear of silicones and harsh chemical surfactants and reach for natural oils and ingredients.
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Armourdale also produces surfactant, the cleansing agent, for Tide, ERA, Cheer and Old Spice Body Wash.
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Follow with lukewarm water and a dime-size amount of cleanser (look for the ingredients cocamidopropyl betaine or caprylic triglyceride, which are sulfate-free surfactants) on your fingers or a clean, damp washcloth.
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Dragna recommends finding personal care products that contain surfactants from the alkyl polyglycosides instead, the most common of which is decyl glucoside, because the head group is a sugar instead of a sulfate.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'surfactant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of surfactant
surface-active + -ant
Medical Dictionary
medical Definition of surfactant
: a surface-active substance;
specifically
: a surface-active lipoprotein mixture which coats the alveoli and which prevents collapse of the lungs by reducing the surface tension of pulmonary fluids
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surfactant
adjectiveLearn More about surfactant
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See words that rhyme with surfactant Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about surfactant
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