silica gel


noun Chemistry.

a highly adsorbent gelatinous form of silica, used chiefly as a dehumidifying and dehydrating agent.

Origin of silica gel

First recorded in 1915–20

British Dictionary definitions for silica gel

silica gel

noun

an amorphous form of silica capable of absorbing large quantities of water: used in drying gases and oils, as a carrier for catalysts and an anticaking agent for cosmetics