Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: álcali
Alkali (AL-kuh-ly)
A chemical that can dissolve in water, combine with acids to form salts, and make acids less acidic. Alkalis have a bitter taste and turn certain dyes blue. Some alkalis can help the body work the way it should. An example of an alkali is sodium hydroxide.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.