lye

noun

ˈlī 

1

: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing

broadly : a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)

2

: a solid caustic (such as sodium hydroxide)

Examples of lye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

No record could be found documenting the method used to remove them, but historical letters and news clippings referred to techniques that would have resulted in destruction, including dousing them with lye, chipping them off the wall and sandblasting them. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025

Never Using Soap on Cast Iron Skillets Cooks for generations didn't use soap on cast iron pans because the soaps were made with lye and vinegar, two ingredients that will absolutely strip the seasoning and can even damage the pan's iron. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2025

Drano is a popular drain cleaner containing lye, aluminum, salt, bleach, and sodium nitrate to create a chemical reaction that will quickly and effectively break down organic material, like hair and grease. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025

The lye decomposes the organic material and works with the aluminum to generate heat that helps to speed up the decomposition process. —Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English lēag; akin to Old High German louga lye, Latin lavare, lavere to wash, Greek louein

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lye

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

lye

noun

ˈlī 

1

: a strong alkaline liquid obtained from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and in washing

2

: any of various strong alkaline liquids

especially : sodium hydroxide

3

: a solid compound (as caustic soda) that causes chemical burns

Medical Definition

lye

noun

ˈlī 

1

: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and washing

broadly : a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)

2

: a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)