lye

noun \ˈlī\

: a strong chemical that is used especially in making soap

Full Definition of LYE

: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and for washing; broadly : a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)

: a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)

See lye defined for English-language learners

See lye defined for kids

Origin of LYE

Middle English, from Old English lēag; akin to Old High German louga lye, Latin lavare, lavere to wash, Greek louein

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Rhymes with LYE

ay, aye, bi, Bligh, buy, by, bye, chai, chi, cry, die, dry, dye, eye, fie, fly, fry, guy, hie, high, Huai, i, I, lie, my, nigh, phi, pi, pie, ply, pry, psi, rye, scythe, shy, sigh, sky, Skye, sly, spry, spy, sty, Tai, Thai, thigh, thy, tie, try, vie, why, wry, wye, xi, Y

LYE Defined for Kids

lye

noun \ˈlī\

Definition of LYE for Kids

: a dangerous compound that is used in cleaning and in making soap

Medical Dictionary

lye

noun \ˈlī\

Medical Definition of LYE

: a strong alkaline liquor rich in potassium carbonate leached from wood ashes and used especially in making soap and washing; broadly : a strong alkaline solution (as of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide)

: a solid caustic (as sodium hydroxide)