: a cleansing agent: such as
a
: soap
b
: any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents
c
: an oil-soluble substance that holds insoluble foreign matter in suspension and is used in lubricating oils and dry-cleaning solvents
Examples of detergent in a Sentence
Noun
We have tried different laundry detergents.
add the detergent to the washing machine before putting in the clothes
Recent Examples on the Web
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Doing so will remove detergent residue, soften them, and refresh their natural oils.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
The maker of Tide detergent and Pampers diapers said the cuts were part of a wider restructuring — also arriving amid tariff pressures.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detergent
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Adjective
Instead of softener, add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to naturally soften towels and remove detergent residue without dulling the color.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Doing so will remove detergent residue, soften them, and refresh their natural oils.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
Add a small amount of detergent.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025
The maker of Tide detergent and Pampers diapers said the cuts were part of a wider restructuring — also arriving amid tariff pressures.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for detergent
Cite this Entry
“Detergent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/detergent. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt 
: able to clean : used in cleansing
detergent oil for engines
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a substance that cleanses
especially
: a chemical product that is like soap in its ability to cleanse
Medical Definition
detergent
1 of 2 adjective
de·ter·gent
di-ˈtər-jənt
: having a cleansing action
detergent
2 of 2 noun
: a cleansing agent: as
a
b
: any of numerous synthetic water-soluble or liquid organic preparations that are chemically different from soaps but are able to emulsify oils, hold dirt in suspension, and act as wetting agents
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