: 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
Even so, this detergent sheet is a great value at only 21 cents per medium load.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
Being a skin focused detergent brand requires integrity, continuous improvement, and a commitment to what’s best for people, regardless of how popular that may be.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 14 Aug. 2022
The team changed the playing field for detergent raw materials.
—Kao Contributor, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022
The chamois will get more detergent exposure, and will rinse cleaner.
—Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 17 July 2021
The soapy bucket method: Add a few drops of detergent soap to a bucket half filled with water.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2022
Geller said her team is working on evaluating some detergent sheet products now, but that consumers can still look up the individual ingredients used in the products.
—Lisa Held, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2021
Deanna Pai, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
The products include about 8.2 million defective bags of Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods, and Ariel Pods liquid laundry detergent packets.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
This year alone, Poison Centers in the United States have managed 1,423 cases related to laundry detergent packet exposure for children five and under, according to the National Poison Data System.
—Emilee Coblentz, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024
Examples include detergent, shampoo, water, juice and milk bottles.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
In most cases, washing as usual with a quality heavy-duty detergent will remove the mildew smell.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
This will remove sweat, detergent residues, and bacteria.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2024
Rewards account: Smart Saver is BJ’s regular flyer with rotating deals on a variety of items, including outdoor furniture, lunchbox snacks and everyday needs, like toilet paper and laundry detergent.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One example is a washing machine creating too much foam because the user has added too much detergent – in which case, the AI would recommend the correct amount of detergent for the load mount.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
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
Even so, this detergent sheet is a great value at only 21 cents per medium load.
—Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 11 Oct. 2022
Being a skin focused detergent brand requires integrity, continuous improvement, and a commitment to what’s best for people, regardless of how popular that may be.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 14 Aug. 2022
The team changed the playing field for detergent raw materials.
—Kao Contributor, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022
The chamois will get more detergent exposure, and will rinse cleaner.
—Joe Lindsey, Outside Online, 17 July 2021
The soapy bucket method: Add a few drops of detergent soap to a bucket half filled with water.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Apr. 2022
Geller said her team is working on evaluating some detergent sheet products now, but that consumers can still look up the individual ingredients used in the products.
—Lisa Held, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2021
Noun
Eczema can also be triggered by external factors such as common allergens (like fragrance in skin-care products and laundry detergents), dry air, saliva or sweat, or long, hot baths, says Dr. Chang.
—Deanna Pai, Allure, 11 Apr. 2024
The products include about 8.2 million defective bags of Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods, and Ariel Pods liquid laundry detergent packets.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
This year alone, Poison Centers in the United States have managed 1,423 cases related to laundry detergent packet exposure for children five and under, according to the National Poison Data System.
—Emilee Coblentz, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024
Examples include detergent, shampoo, water, juice and milk bottles.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
In most cases, washing as usual with a quality heavy-duty detergent will remove the mildew smell.
—Tamara Gane, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024
This will remove sweat, detergent residues, and bacteria.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2024
Rewards account: Smart Saver is BJ’s regular flyer with rotating deals on a variety of items, including outdoor furniture, lunchbox snacks and everyday needs, like toilet paper and laundry detergent.
—Kimberly Cataudella Tutuska, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
One example is a washing machine creating too much foam because the user has added too much detergent – in which case, the AI would recommend the correct amount of detergent for the load mount.
—Bernard Marr, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'detergent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near detergent
Cite this Entry
“Detergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detergent. Accessed 19 Apr. 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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