noun
soda
An alkaline compound used in cleaning and manufacturing.
Washing soda helps remove grease from heavily soiled work clothes.
Etymology
Italian soda named an alkaline substance associated with plant ash. The industrial sense retains that chemical use, especially for sodium carbonate.
More examples
- The factory uses soda ash to make glass.
- She adds washing soda to soften the laundry water.
- Store washing soda in a clearly labeled container.
Forms
soda
Similar words
- washing soda
- Specifically names sodium carbonate sold for laundry and household cleaning.
- soda ash
- Usually names the water-free sodium carbonate used in industrial processes.