# bicarbonate

/baɪˈkɑɹbənət/ (US) · /baɪkˈɑːbənˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bicarbonate
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a chemical substance that is often used to neutralize acids. You might know it as baking soda, which is used in cooking or cleaning.

For teachers: a salt of carbonic acid, typically containing the HCO3− ion. Often used in industrial and household contexts for neutralizing acids or as a leavening agent.

## Examples

- Baking powder contains bicarbonate to help the cake rise.
- The technician added a small amount of bicarbonate to the solution to neutralize the excess acid.
- In the human body, bicarbonate acts as a crucial buffer to maintain the pH balance of the blood, ensuring that metabolic processes remain stable despite the production of acidic byproducts.

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