Definition of Alkaline in Chemstry

It's an aqueous solution with a pH greater than 7

Glass beakers or strong alkali level, and red for weak acidity level
Glass beakers indicating blue for weak alkaline level, green for strong alkali level, and red for weak acidity level. Trish Gant / Getty Images
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on January 13, 2019

Alkaline refers to an aqueous solution having a pH greater than 7 or a [OH-] greater than 10-7. An alkaline solution is also known as basic.

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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Definition of Alkaline in Chemstry." ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/alkaline-definition-in-chemistry-606367. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 26). Definition of Alkaline in Chemstry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/alkaline-definition-in-chemistry-606367 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Definition of Alkaline in Chemstry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/alkaline-definition-in-chemistry-606367 (accessed June 4, 2023).