Surfactant

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sÉ™rˈfæktÉ™nt/

Origin

surface-active agent

Full definition of surfactant

Noun

1. (chemistry) A surface active agent, or wetting agent, capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid; typically organic compounds having a hydrophilic "head" and a hydrophobic "tail".
2. (biochemistry) A lipoprotein in the tissues of the lung that reduces surface tension and permits more efficient gas transport.