alkali

/ˈælkəˌlaɪ/
IPA guide

Other forms: alkalies; alkalis

Definitions of alkali
  1. noun
    any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
    synonyms: base
    see moresee less
    types:
    show 11 types...
    hide 11 types...
    pyridine
    a toxic colorless flammable liquid organic base with a disagreeable odor; usually derived from coal
    purine
    a colorless crystalline organic base containing nitrogen; the parent compound of various biologically important substances
    purine
    any of several bases that are derivatives of purine
    glyoxaline, imidazole, iminazole
    an organic base C3H4N2; a histamine inhibitor
    cyanuramide, melamine
    a white crystalline organic base; used mainly in making melamine resins
    pyrimidine
    any of several basic compounds derived from pyrimidine
    A, adenine
    (biochemistry) purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with thymine in DNA and with uracil in RNA
    C, cytosine
    a base found in DNA and RNA and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with guanine
    G, guanine
    a purine base found in DNA and RNA; pairs with cytosine
    T, thymine
    a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
    triphosphopyridine
    a pyridine ring with three phosphorus groups
    type of:
    chemical compound, compound
    (chemistry) a substance formed by chemical union of two or more elements or ingredients in definite proportion by weight
  2. noun
    a mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture
    see moresee less
    type of:
    salt
    a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘alkali'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing alkali

National Spelling Bee '14: Prelims Round 2

Words from Round 2 of the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS