bleach

5 definitions • 7 examples

a strong chemical used for cleaning things or removing colour from things

to remove the colour from something or make it lighter, with the use of chemicals or by the effect of light from the sun; to become lighter in this way :

Gary's had his hair bleached.

Sunlight had bleached the curtains.

The bones of oxen were bleaching in the sun beside the trail.

to use bleach (= a strong chemical) to clean something:

She ordered him to bleach the tub after he bathed.

You don't need to bleach the kitchen surfaces every day.

(of corals (= small sea animals whose bodies form a substance like rock)) to change or be changed in colour, usually turning white, because of algae (= very simple small water plants) being forced out from the tissues when water conditions are not healthy:

The coral is bleaching because the water is too acidic and too warm.

Most bleached corals appear bright white.

a liquid or powder used to clean or make something whiter or lighter in color