noun

pH

a scale measuring how acidic or basic a solution is

In Science & Nature

In more detail

The abbreviation for the chemical term pH, which measures how acidic or basic a substance is on a scale from 0 to 14.

Examples

The pH of pure water is 7.
We tested the pH of the soil before planting.

How to use pH

pH is used in chemistry, biology, medicine, and everyday contexts like water quality testing and soil analysis. It measures hydrogen ion concentration, with 0–6 being acidic, 7 being neutral, and 8–14 being basic or alkaline. The term is technical but widely understood in educational and practical settings.

Common phrases

pH level
pH scale
pH value
neutral pH
high pH
low pH

Synonyms

acidity level · alkalinity measure · acid-base value

Word family

pH (noun) · pH-neutral (adjective)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse high pH with high acidity; high pH actually means basic/alkaline, while low pH means acidic.

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pH