alkali

noun

Meaning

A basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal that is soluble in water and reacts with acids to form salts.

Examples

  • The soil in this region is highly alkali, which makes it difficult to grow certain types of acid-loving plants.
  • Industrial cleaners often contain strong alkali compounds to break down grease and organic matter effectively.

Synonyms: base, caustic