hydroxyl
noun
hy·drox·yl hī-ˈdräk-səl 
1
: the chemical group, ion, or radical OH that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and is neutral or negatively charged
2
: hydroxide sense 1
hydroxylic
ˌhī-ˌdräk-ˈsi-lik
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web According to the authors, glycerol has a high concentration of hydroxyl groups, which in turn have a strong affinity with water molecules, creating strong hydrogen bonds. 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2022 Watson, who is not involved in the TOLIMAN project, is part of a team that recently detected hydroxyl radicals — a component of water — in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a star about 400 light-years from Earth. NBC News, 24 Nov. 2021 Some of this iron bunches together and reacts with naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals—highly reactive molecules that can harm cells. Nikk Ogasa, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2021 Overall, the researchers suspect that hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl could be contributing to global oxidation, Inverse reports. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2021 Studies had indicated that some water-like material was present but couldn't differentiate between water and a hydroxyl group (OH), which could exist in some minerals. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 26 Oct. 2020 Bipolar ionizing filters and hydroxyl generators put chemically reactive or electrically charged particles into the air, but careful, rigorous studies of their effectiveness don’t exist yet. Adam Rogers, Wired, 9 Nov. 2020 In organic chemistry, alcohols tend to include hydroxyl, which contributes to making molecules soluble in water. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 26 Oct. 2020 Heat from the sun or micrometeorite impacts could cause hydroxyl molecules to collide to form H2O, Honniball says. Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, 26 Oct. 2020 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2022 Watson, who is not involved in the TOLIMAN project, is part of a team that recently detected hydroxyl radicals — a component of water — in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a star about 400 light-years from Earth. NBC News, 24 Nov. 2021 Some of this iron bunches together and reacts with naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals—highly reactive molecules that can harm cells. Nikk Ogasa, Scientific American, 18 Oct. 2021 Overall, the researchers suspect that hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl could be contributing to global oxidation, Inverse reports. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 May 2021 Studies had indicated that some water-like material was present but couldn't differentiate between water and a hydroxyl group (OH), which could exist in some minerals. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 26 Oct. 2020 Bipolar ionizing filters and hydroxyl generators put chemically reactive or electrically charged particles into the air, but careful, rigorous studies of their effectiveness don’t exist yet. Adam Rogers, Wired, 9 Nov. 2020 In organic chemistry, alcohols tend to include hydroxyl, which contributes to making molecules soluble in water. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 26 Oct. 2020 Heat from the sun or micrometeorite impacts could cause hydroxyl molecules to collide to form H2O, Honniball says. Maya Wei-haas, National Geographic, 26 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
hydr- + ox- + -yl
First Known Use
1869, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
hydroxyl
noun
hy·drox·yl hī-ˈdräk-səl
1
: the chemical group or ion OH that consists of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and is neutral or positively charged
2
: hydroxide sense 1