Reactant vs. Reagent

Reactantnoun

(chemistry) any of the participants present at the start of a chemical reaction

Reactantnoun

a chemical substance that is present at the start of a chemical reaction

Reagentnoun

(chemistry) A compound or mixture of compounds used to treat materials, samples, other compounds or reactants in a laboratory or sometimes an industrial setting.

Reagentnoun

A substance capable of producing with another a reaction, especially when employed to detect the presence of other bodies; a test.

Reagentnoun

a chemical agent for use in chemical reactions

Reagent

A reagent is a substance or compound added to a system to cause a chemical reaction, or added to test if a reaction occurs. The terms reactant and reagent are often used interchangeably—however, a reactant is more specifically a substance consumed in the course of a chemical reaction.