acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of acetic acid
2
: cellulose acetate
also : something (such as a textile fiber) made from cellulose acetate
3
: a phonograph recording disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate

Examples of acetate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hair Rituel The Invisible Hold Hair Spray Infused with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E acetate, this gossamer-light spray holds shape in place while adding texture and volume. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023 That acetate, which is much less toxic than acetaldehyde, is then further broken down into water and carbon dioxide and eliminated from the body. Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2023 The series also points out some of those cases were likely caused by vitamin C acetate – found in the black market. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023 The brush is made of Italian acetate available in a range of patterns and colors like tortoiseshell, terrazzo, and pistachio. Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023 These waterproof ankle boots have smooth rubber uppers and thick yet lightweight EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate, a flexible rubber-like thermoplastic) outsoles. Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2023 Totally coincidentally, n-pentyl acetate is what gives bananas their signature odor. Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 30 Aug. 2023 And, for everyday, a good pair of sunglasses is essential, ideally in a black acetate. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2023 To do this, the team applied a coat of a substance called ethylene-vinyl acetate. Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acetate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétate, from (acide) acétique acetic acid + -ate, -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near acetate

Cite this Entry

“Acetate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

acetate

noun
ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of acetic acid with another substance
2
: something made from acetate or from cellulose and acetate combined

Medical Definition

acetate

noun
ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
: a salt or ester of acetic acid

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