quaternary
adjective
qua·ter·na·ry
| \ ˈkwä-tər-ˌner-ē
, ˈkwä-tə-, kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
\
, ˈkwä-tə-, kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
\
Definition of quaternary
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: of, relating to, or consisting of four units or members
b
: of, relating to, or being a number system with a base of four
2
capitalized
: of, relating to, or being the geological period from the end of the Tertiary to the present time or the corresponding system of rocks — see Geologic Time Table
3
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms
quaternary
noun
plural quaternaries
Definition of quaternary (Entry 2 of 2)
1
capitalized
: the Quaternary period or system of rocks
2
: a member of a group fourth in order or rank
Examples of quaternary in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
The industry standard for wipes and sprays is a solution that contains quaternary ammonium, an anti-bacterial compound. — Scott Douglas, Washington Post, "Your gym is teeming with invisible members: Germs. Here’s how to avoid them.," 29 July 2019 The industry standard for wipes and sprays is a solution that contains quaternary ammonium, an anti-bacterial compound. — Scott Douglas, sun-sentinel.com, "Your gym is teeming with invisible members: Germs. Here’s how to avoid them.," 29 July 2019 Ingestion of quaternary-ammonium compounds in dogs can cause reduced appetite, and gastric irritation including diarrhea and vomiting. — Seattle Times Staff, The Seattle Times, "Huge recall of rawhide dog chew gets a lot bigger," 19 June 2017 A class of biocides known as quaternary ammonium compounds, or quats, is one chemical treatment that temporarily diminishes biofilms and their visible effects. — National Geographic, "Black Slime Is Coating World Monuments—And That May Be Good," 21 Sep. 2016 The affected batch was recalled after the pet group found that the rawhide chew manufacturers in Mexico, Columbia and Brazil were using a quaternary ammonium compound mixture in the process of manufacturing the items. — Lindsey Murray, Good Housekeeping, "[UPDATED] United Pet Group Adds Eight Additional Brands to Its Dog Chew Recall," 20 June 2017Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Today's PT lumber is treated with safer, less toxic chemicals, such as alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or copper azole. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How to Choose a Deck Material That Is Right for You," 6 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quaternary.' 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 quaternary
quaternary
adjective
qua·ter·na·ry
| \ ˈkwät-ə(r)-ˌner-ē
, kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
\
, kwə-ˈtər-nə-rē
\
Medical Definition of quaternary
(Entry 1 of 2)
: consisting of, containing, or being an atom bonded to four other atoms
quaternary
noun
plural quaternaries
Medical Definition of quaternary (Entry 2 of 2)