sodium sulfate

noun

: a bitter salt Na2SO4 used especially in detergents, in the manufacture of wood pulp and rayon, in dyeing and finishing textiles, and in its hydrated form as a cathartic compare glauber's salt

Examples of sodium sulfate in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today, black salt is commonly made by combining sodium chloride with trace amounts of sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, and ferric sulfate with charcoal.13 Despite its name, black salt usually has a pinkish-gray or pinkish-brown color. — Lindsey Desoto, Health, 12 Mar. 2025 The cell salt sodium sulfate is linked to Taurus. — BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sodium sulfate was in 1869

Rhymes for sodium sulfate

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Browse Nearby Words

sodium silicate
sodium sulfate
sodium sulfide
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Cite this Entry

“Sodium sulfate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sodium%20sulfate. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

sodium sulfate

noun
: a bitter salt used especially in detergents, in the manufacture of rayon, and in dyeing and finishing textiles

Medical Definition

sodium sulfate

noun
: a bitter salt Na2SO4 used especially in detergents, in the manufacture of wood pulp and rayon, in dyeing and finishing textiles, and in its hydrated form as a cathartic see glauber's salt

More from Merriam-Webster on sodium sulfate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sodium sulfate

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