1. of, relating to, or containing an anion (a negatively charged ion)
Usage: chemistry; technical
2. of or relating to a surfactant or detergent that carries a negative charge
Usage: chemistry; industrial

Examples

• Anionic compounds dissociate into negatively charged ions in solution.
• The detergent contains anionic surfactants that help remove dirt from fabrics.
• Anionic exchange resins are used to purify water by removing negatively charged impurities.
• The anionic nature of the molecule makes it soluble in polar solvents.
• Anionic polymerization is a common method for synthesizing certain plastics.