saponification

A reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali, such as sodium hydroxide, producing a free alcohol and a carboxylate salt, especially alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap.

Conversion into soap; the process in which fatty substances, through combination with an alkali, form soap.

The act, process, or result, of soap making; conversion into soap; specifically (Chem.), the decomposition of fats and other ethereal salts by alkalies.

The hydrolysis of an ester under basic conditions to form an alcohol and the salt of the acid.

The reaction of a metallic alkali (base) with a fat or oil to form soap.

a chemical reaction in which an ester is heated with an alkali (especially the alkaline hydrolysis of a fat or oil to make soap)