potassium permanganate

noun

: a dark purple salt KMnO4 used as an oxidizer and disinfectant

Examples of potassium permanganate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The residue bore traces of gold, potassium permanganate and copper, which Dr. Poliński thinks may have been left by a potion concocted to treat her ailments. Franz Lidz, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2023 Univar also stored chemicals next to each other that shouldn’t have been next to each other, like sulfuric acid next to potassium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide and nitric acid next to potassium permanganate, ammonium persulfate, and hydrogen peroxide, according to the EPA’s allegations. Brian Amaral, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Jan. 2023 Another group exposed nanotubes to sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate, a strong oxidizing agent, which strained the carbon bonds and caused the tubes to unzip lengthwise, as shown here. Discover Magazine, 29 June 2010 Pingpong-like balls filled with potassium permanganate and injected with glycol are dropped from the air. Matt Wyatt, ExpressNews.com, 7 Jan. 2021 Each of the one-inch spheres, called Dragon Eggs, contains potassium permanganate, and just before they are released they are given a pin injection of anti-freeze. David Helvarg, National Geographic, 16 Oct. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potassium permanganate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of potassium permanganate was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near potassium permanganate

Cite this Entry

“Potassium permanganate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potassium%20permanganate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

potassium permanganate

noun
-(ˌ)pər-ˈmaŋ-gə-ˌnāt
: a dark purple salt used especially as a disinfectant

Medical Definition

potassium permanganate

noun
: a dark purple salt KMnO4 used chiefly as an oxidizing agent and disinfectant

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