anionic detergent

noun

: any of a class of synthetic detergents usually consisting essentially of an alkali metal salt or an ammonium salt of a strong acid containing 12 to 24 carbon atoms together with an inorganic salt (as sodium sulfate) and, for heavy-duty laundering, a builder (as sodium tripolyphosphate):as

: an alkyl aryl sulfonate (as sodium dodecyl-benzene-sulfonate C₁₂H₂₅C₆H₄SO₃Na)

: a salt (as sodium lauryl sulfate C₁₂H₂₅SO₄Na) of a sulfated alcohol

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of anionic detergent was in 1942

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anionic detergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anionic%20detergent. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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