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quaternary ammonium compound

noun

Definition of quaternary ammonium compound

: any of numerous strong bases and their salts derived from ammonium by replacement of the hydrogen atoms with organic radicals and important especially as surface-active agents, disinfectants, and drugs

Examples of quaternary ammonium compound in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The Environmental Working Group’s senior research and database analyst Samara Geller told Apartment Therapy that dryer sheets contain a potentially harmful chemical called quaternary ammonium compounds (QACS). — Megan Schaltegger, House Beautiful, "Here’s Why You Need to Stop Using Dryer Sheets ASAP," 30 Apr. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'quaternary ammonium compound.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of quaternary ammonium compound

circa 1934, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for quaternary ammonium compound

quaternary ammonium compound

noun

Medical Definition of quaternary ammonium compound

: any of numerous strong bases and their salts derived from ammonium by replacement of the hydrogen atoms with organic radicals and important especially as surface-active agents, disinfectants, and drugs

— called also quat, quaternary

More from Merriam-Webster on quaternary ammonium compound

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quaternary ammonium compound

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