sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle solid NaOH that is a strong caustic base used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Examples of sodium hydroxide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Police say Tong allegedly had multiple substances — including sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, and butane. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

The news release identified the substances as sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane. —Janat Batra, NBC news, 30 Apr. 2026

The substances included sodium hydroxide pellets, hydrochloric acid, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, acetone and butane, according to the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

The tanker, a Brenntag tractor and cargo tank, was carrying 1,100 gallons of sodium hydroxide, a cleaning chemical, the agency said. —Caitlin McGlade, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sodium hydroxide

• monoxide
• tetroxide

Kids Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle solid that is strongly alkaline and is used especially in making soap, rayon, and paper

Medical Definition

sodium hydroxide

noun

: a white brittle deliquescent solid NaOH that dissolves readily in water to form a strongly alkaline and caustic solution and that is used in pharmacy as an alkalizing agent

called also caustic soda