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

Combine melted beeswax with an assortment of oils, such as palm oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil, scented essential oils, water, and lye. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024

In their messages, the couple had discussed dumping the bodies into a hole, then treating them with lye or setting them on fire. —Christina Coulter, Fox News, 29 Sep. 2024

Before detergents, soaps made from tallow, lye, and water were the norm. —Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024

Florence recalled growing up in a shotgun house her father built on that land, and learning to make lye soap from hog fat and dandelion wine from their garden. —Essence, 18 June 2024

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

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)