sodium hydroxide

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a white, deliquescent, water-soluble solid, NaOH, usually in the form of lumps, sticks, chips, or pellets, that upon solution in water generates heat: used chiefly in the manufacture of other chemicals, rayon, film, soap, as a laboratory reagent, and in medicine as a caustic.

sodium hydroxide

noun

1. See lye
   a white deliquescent strongly alkaline solid used in the manufacture of rayon, paper, aluminium, soap, and sodium compounds. Formula: NaOH Also calledcaustic soda See also lye

sodium hydroxide

1. A white, corrosive, solid compound that absorbs water and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and forms lye when in solution. Sodium hydroxide is toxic and strongly alkaline and is used to make chemicals and soaps and to refine petroleum. Chemical formula: NaOH.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sodium hydroxide¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The crushed bauxite is then mixed with sodium hydroxide to extract aluminum oxide, leaving behind a highly toxic red sludge in the process.

From Popular-Science

The attack took place at the city’s water treatment plant, which purifies groundwater for drinking using filters and chemicals, including small amounts of sodium hydroxide.

From ProPublica

Authorities estimate the hacker had access for three to five minutes, and during that time, they adjusted the level of sodium hydroxide in the water from a normal 100 parts per million all the way up to 11,100 parts per million.

From Popular-Science

The intruder changed the level of sodium hydroxide to 11,100 parts per million, a significant increase from the normal amount of 100 ppm, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said in a Monday morning press conference.

From Ars Technica

A portion was gently warmed with a few drops of a strong solution of potassium cyanide and two drops of sodium hydroxide.

From Project Gutenberg

A portion of the water solution was heated with glucose and a few drops of sodium hydroxide.

From Project Gutenberg

Still, the practical use of ammonia, especially in combination with sodium hydroxide, is found to be most effective.

From Project Gutenberg

After being weighed, it can be dissolved in a little sodium hydroxide and poured into the bottle.

From Project Gutenberg

The ferrous solution, used for reducing the silver citrate, had been brought to exact neutrality with sodium hydroxide.

From Project Gutenberg