reagent

[ ree-ey-juhnt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a substance that, because of the reactions it causes, is used in analysis and synthesis.

reagent

/ riːˈeɪdʒənt /

noun

1. a substance for use in a chemical reaction, esp for use in chemical synthesis and analysis

reagent

/ rē-ā′jənt /

1. A substance participating in a chemical reaction, especially one used to detect, measure, or produce another substance.
2. Compare agent

Word History and Origins

Origin of reagent¹

1790–1800; re(act) + agent; act

Example Sentences

The at-home tests involve swabbing the inside of your nose to collect a sample, mixing the sample with the included reagent, placing drops of the resulting solution on a test strip, then waiting 15 to 30 minutes for the results.

From Los Angeles Times

They are identified by their distinctive granules that stain red when treated with an acidic reagent, eosin, which gave them their name.

From Science Daily

Prof. Yoshida explains, "We developed a method for synthesizing stable o-bromobenzenethiol equivalents by bromothiolation of aryne intermediates with an appropriate hydrogen sulfide equivalent and an electrophilic brominating reagent, resulting in controlled reactivity at the sulfur atom which prevents subsequent additions with aryne intermediates."

From Science Daily

The researchers utilized potassium xanthate instead of hydrogen sulfide, owing to its better reactivity in aryne reactions and pentafluorophenyl bromide as an electrophilic brominating reagent.

From Science Daily

It is called Murakami's reagent, which etches away carbon residue and changes the colour of steel in knife making, for example.

From Science Daily