stearic acid

noun

stea·​ric acid stē-ˈa-rik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio)
stē-ˈer-ik-,
ˈstir-ik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline fatty acid C18H36O2 obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin
also : a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids

Examples of stearic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dermatologists Say Beef Tallow Can Be a Good Moisturizer The hydration perk comes from its store of fatty acids like stearic acid and oleic acid, which help restore and strengthen the skin barrier and lock in existing moisture, explains dermatologist Hannah Kopelman. — Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 24 Dec. 2024 Two types of fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acid, make up more than 90% of the caecilian milk-fat total, per the study. — Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French stéarique, from Greek stear hard fat

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stearic acid was in 1830

Rhymes for stearic acid

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Browse Nearby Words

stearic
stearic acid
stearin
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Cite this Entry

“Stearic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stearic%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

stearic acid

noun
stea·​ric acid stē-ˌar-ik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio) ˌsti(ə)r-ik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio)
: acid obtained by the hydrolysis of a hard fat (as tallow) with alkali

Medical Definition

stearic acid

noun
stea·​ric acid stē-ˌar-ik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio) ˌsti(ə)r-ik- How to pronounce stearic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline fatty acid C18H36O2 obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin
also : a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids

More from Merriam-Webster on stearic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about stearic acid

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