Definition of "detergent" []

• A cleansing substance that acts similarly to soap but is made from chemical compounds rather than fats and lye. (noun)
• Having cleansing power. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Next, a cup of water containing the detergent is added."
• "If the detergent is that harsh, it sounds like we should be coating our dishes completely with food before putting them into the dishwasher."
• "Completely cutting the use of detergent is enticing from both ecological and economic standpoints, but how exactly does the GreenWashBall work, and can it up to its claims?"