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

a

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

b

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

Word History

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

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