: a cleansing agent: such as
a
: soap
b
: any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents
c
: an oil-soluble substance that holds insoluble foreign matter in suspension and is used in lubricating oils and dry-cleaning solvents
Synonyms
Examples of detergent in a Sentence
Noun
We have tried different laundry detergents.
add the detergent to the washing machine before putting in the clothes
Recent Examples on the Web
Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2010
Our tester used their Black+Decker washer with a detergent infusion to blast bugs from the grill of their car and found that the power washer stripped away all mess and detritus.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Not only does this new brand of luxury laundry detergent clean dirty clothes, but the sleek modern bottle looks fabulous on any laundry room shelf.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detergent 
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Adjective
Insects are covered in waxy, water-repellent shells, but the velvet worm’s slime contains fat and detergent molecules that break past this defence.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 June 2010
Our tester used their Black+Decker washer with a detergent infusion to blast bugs from the grill of their car and found that the power washer stripped away all mess and detritus.
—Gabriel Morgan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Nov. 2022
Noun
Work it in using a toothbrush, then allow the detergent to sit for at least 15 minutes.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Not only does this new brand of luxury laundry detergent clean dirty clothes, but the sleek modern bottle looks fabulous on any laundry room shelf.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for detergent
Dictionary Entries Near detergent
Cite this Entry
“Detergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detergent. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt 
: able to clean : used in cleansing
detergent oil for engines
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that cleanses
especially
: a chemical product that is like soap in its ability to cleanse
Medical Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt
: having a cleansing action
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a cleansing agent: as
a
b
: any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents
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