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alkali
noun
al·ka·li
| \ ˈal-kə-ˌlī
\
\
plural alkalies
or alkalis
Definition of alkali
1
: a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate
broadly
: a substance (such as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties — compare base sense 6a
2
: alkali metal
3
: a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture
Examples of alkali in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite its water being three times saltier than the ocean, the lake supports throngs of migrating birds that feed on teeming alkali flies and brine shrimp. — Doug Hansen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Warm-weather adventures at Mammoth," 26 June 2019 Many of these cleaners contain corrosive alkalis, which can have grave effects on your gastrointestinal track and respiratory system if inhaled and can be deadly if swallowed. — Lindsey Campbell, House Beautiful, "19 Dangerous Household Items You Should Quit Using Immediately," 15 Feb. 2019 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018 Its widespread adoption could increase production at industrial chlor-alkali plants, which are known to emit mercury and other pollutants. — Emily Atkin, WIRED, "The Powerful Groups Stonewalling a Greener Way to Die," 17 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'alkali.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for alkali
alkali
noun
English Language Learners Definition of alkali
chemistry
: a substance that has a bitter taste and that forms a salt when mixed with an acid
See the full definition for alkali in the English Language Learners Dictionary
alkali
noun
al·ka·li
| \ ˈal-kə-ˌlī
\
\
plural alkalies
or alkalis
Kids Definition of alkali
1
: a substance that has a bitter taste and reacts with an acid to form a salt : base
2
: a salt or a mixture of salts sometimes found in large amounts in the soil of dry regions
alkali
noun
al·ka·li
| \ ˈal-kə-ˌlī
\
\
plural alkalies
or alkalis
Medical Definition of alkali
: a substance (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties — compare base
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