ion exchange

noun

: a reversible interchange of one kind of ion present on an insoluble solid with another of like charge present in a solution surrounding the solid with the reaction being used especially for softening or demineralizing water, the purification of chemicals, or the separation of substances
ion exchanger noun

Examples of ion exchange in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Salt sometimes is actually high in well water because of the presence of a treatment system that relies on ion exchange to remove nuisance elements like iron and manganese. — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025 The two filtration methods proven to remove nitrates from water are reverse osmosis systems and ion exchange filters, according to the EWG. — Ryan Brennan may 27, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026 Domestic supply potential The company’s method relies on low-temperature ion exchange rather than high-heat processing or heavy acids, with recovery rates of up to 95 percent. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025 In general, keeping the ion exchange membrane intact is one of the biggest challenges for scaling this type of process, says Feifei Shi, assistant professor of energy engineering at Penn State. — IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ion exchange

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ion exchange was in 1923

Rhymes for ion exchange

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Browse Nearby Words

Ionesco
ion exchange
ion exchange resin
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Cite this Entry

“Ion exchange.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ion%20exchange. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

ion exchange

noun
ion ex·​change -iks-ˈchānj How to pronounce ion exchange (audio)
: a reversible interchange of one kind of ion present on an insoluble solid with another of like charge present in a solution surrounding the solid with the reaction being used especially for softening or demineralizing water, purifying chemicals, or separating substances
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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