noun
bicarbonate
bye-KAR-buh-nut/ˌbaɪˈkɑːrbənət/
The hydrogen carbonate ion or a salt containing it.
The bowl contains sodium bicarbonate, represented by the formula on the card.
Etymology
Bi- reflects an older chemical description: two equivalents of carbonic acid to one of a base. The name survives for salts containing the hydrogen carbonate ion.
In context
the pancreas also produces bicarbonate that functions to neutralize the acidity of chyme coming from the stomach
More examples
- Baking soda is a familiar bicarbonate.
- The water sample contains dissolved bicarbonate ions.
- The label lists sodium bicarbonate among the ingredients.
Forms
bicarbonate · bicarbonates
Similar words
- carbonate
- Contains carbonate ions rather than hydrogen carbonate ions.
- baking soda
- Specifically sodium bicarbonate rather than the broader chemical class.