Definition of saponification Saponification

/sʌpɑˌnʌfʌkejˈʃʌn/ - [supanufukeyshun] - sa•pon•i•fi•ca•tion

We found 5 definitions of saponification from 4 different sources.

What does saponification mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: saponifications

saponification - a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap)

chemical reaction, reaction (chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others; "there was a chemical reaction of the lime with the ground water"

= synonym
= antonym
= related word

Wiktionary

saponification (Noun)
The hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the acid.
saponification (Noun)
The reaction of a metallic alkali base with a fat or oil to form soap.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

saponification (n.)
The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into soap; specifically (Chem.), the decomposition of fats and other ethereal salts by alkalies; as, the saponification of ethyl acetate.