Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

water-of-hydration

Noun

/ˈwɔːtər əv haɪˈdreɪʃən/

Definition

Water of hydration refers to the water molecules that are chemically bonded to a substance, often found in hydrated salts.

Examples

When heated, the water of hydration is released from the crystals.
In the laboratory, the importance of water of hydration can be seen in the behavior of certain compounds.
Calcite loses its water of hydration when subjected to dry conditions.

Meaning

This term is commonly used in chemistry to indicate the presence of water within a crystal structure, which is an essential part of the compound’s makeup.