alkali
noun
al·ka·li ˈal-kə-ˌlī 
plural alkalies or alkalis
1
: a soluble salt obtained from the ashes of plants and consisting largely of potassium or sodium carbonate
broadly : a substance (such as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties compare base sense 6a
2
: alkali metal
3
: a soluble salt or a mixture of soluble salts present in some soils of arid regions in quantity detrimental to agriculture
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Baking soda is a mild alkali that's effective at dissolving dirt and grease. 
Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Baking soda is a mild alkali that's effective at dissolving dirt and grease. Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 28 May 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 The company, which acquired several area properties from Dow Chemical in 2015, previously announced plans to close its chlor alkali and vinylidene chloride plants in Freeport in 2020 to cut costs. Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 See More
Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Sep. 2022 Baking soda is a mild alkali that's effective at dissolving dirt and grease. Alicia Chilton, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 28 May 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 The company, which acquired several area properties from Dow Chemical in 2015, previously announced plans to close its chlor alkali and vinylidene chloride plants in Freeport in 2020 to cut costs. Katherine Feser, Houston Chronicle, 12 Feb. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 Don’t use cleaners containing acid, alkali or sodium hypochlorite that will mar, etch, corrode and permanently discolor the laminate surface, says the Formica company. oregonlive, 20 Mar. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Arabic al-qili the ashes of the plant saltwort
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing alkali
Kids Definition
alkali
noun
al·ka·li ˈal-kə-ˌlī
plural alkalies or alkalis
1
: a substance that has a bitter taste and reacts with an acid to form a salt : base
2
: a salt or a mixture of salts sometimes found in large amounts in the soil of dry regions
Medical Definition
alkali
noun
al·ka·li ˈal-kə-ˌlī
plural alkalies or alkalis
: a substance (as a hydroxide or carbonate of an alkali metal) having marked basic properties compare base