What does oxidant mean?
In chemistry, an oxidant is a substance that causes another substance to undergo oxidation. It accepts electrons from that substance and, in the process, is itself reduced. The term is especially associated with reactions involving oxygen or other electron-poor substances, although oxidant is more general than a chemical that contains oxygen. Hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite, and certain metal salts can act as oxidants, which is why oxidants appear in bleaching, disinfection, and industrial chemistry. The word is technical rather than everyday, and “oxidizing agent” is often the more accessible phrase; “oxidizer” is also common, especially in American usage. Understanding the distinction is useful: the oxidant is the reactive substance, while oxidation is the chemical process it brings about. An oxidant and a reductant participate as opposite partners in a redox reaction, transferring electrons in opposite directions.
nounA substance that causes another substance to undergo oxidation, accepting electrons from it and undergoing reduction in the process.
- A substance that causes another substance to undergo oxidation by accepting electrons from it.
"Hydrogen peroxide acted as the oxidant, breaking down coloured compounds in the solution."
"Hydrogen peroxide acted as the oxidant, breaking down coloured compounds in the solution."
"Chlorine is commonly used as an oxidant in water treatment."
The plural is used when referring to more than one oxidizing agent.
"Several strong oxidants are used in industrial chemical processes."
Oxidants are chemistry's electron thieves: they take electrons from other substances and, in doing so, make those substances oxidize.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does oxidant come from?
Oxidant was formed in English in the 19th century from oxidation plus the suffix -ant, denoting an agent or substance that performs a specified action. Both oxidant and oxidation trace through Latin oxidare, meaning “to oxidize,” to Greek oxys, meaning “sharp” or “acute.” The same root underlies related chemical words such as oxide, oxygen, and oxidize.
How oxidant is actually used
The term is chiefly technical, and the fuller phrase oxidizing agent is often preferred in general prose. Oxidizer is common, especially in American English, while British usage commonly uses the spelling oxidising agent.
Easily confused with oxidant
An oxidant is the substance that causes oxidation, whereas oxidation is the chemical process itself.