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lye
noun
\ ˈlī
\
\
Definition of lye
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
An 18-wheeler containing lye overturned on the highway near the Green Springs Avenue exit on I-65 southbound around 6 p.m., said Birmingham Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Sebastian Carillo. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al.com, "Hazmat spill closes I-65 in both directions in Birmingham; 1 firefighter taken to hospital," 27 June 2019 Because her family put money in her commissary, DaLuise could acquire small comforts, like a travel-sized bottle of Head & Shoulders shampoo and Neutrogena face soap to augment the lye bar. — Catherine Womack, Los Angeles Magazine, "An L.A. Aesthetician Once Accused of Murder for Hire Is Now Offering “Killer Facials”," 15 May 2018 Making soap, for example, involves using lye, a caustic agent that requires careful handling and chemical-resistant gloves and goggles. — Gemma Tarlach, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Bounty of the bees extends far beyond honey for your tea - to lotions, balms and even drinks," 16 July 2019 Inside the chemical reaction class, Claire Lee stirred a heated pot to combine a mixture of oils and lye. — Mike Glenn, Houston Chronicle, "Katy ISD holds summer STEM camp," 17 June 2019 The liquid commonly used for unclogging sinks, tubs and other drains contains sodium hydroxide or lye, which can be used for dissolving organic matter. — Washington Post, "Testimony: Suspect bought Drano after Chinese scholar death," 14 June 2019 The Orlando Sentinel reported that some of the bottles contained lye and cleaning supplies. — Michael Bartiromo, Fox News, "'Suspicious' liquids found at Orlando Airport sicken 4 TSA officers, send 2 to hospital," 15 Aug. 2018 During alkaline hydrolysis, the pet’s body is placed in a pressurized vessel that is filled with water and lye, then heated. — Ace Ratcliff, SELF, "Pet Euthanasia at Home: 6 Ways to Make Putting Down Your Pet Easier on Them—and You," 25 Oct. 2018 There’s her parents: Katie, the janitress breadwinner, her hands scarred from soda-and-lye wash, and Johnny, a part-time singing waiter prone to spontaneous waltzes and bursts of whistling—boyishly handsome, and hopelessly alcoholic. — Allie Spensley, WSJ, "A Tale of Roots and Resilience," 5 Oct. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lye.' 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 lye
lye
noun
English Language Learners Definition of lye
: a strong chemical that is used especially in making soap
See the full definition for lye in the English Language Learners Dictionary
lye
noun
\ ˈlī
\
\
Kids Definition of lye
: a dangerous compound that is used in cleaning and in making soap
lye
noun
\ ˈlī
\
\
Medical Definition of lye
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)
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