ointment

noun

oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
: a salve or unguent for application to the skin

Examples of ointment in a Sentence

You should put some ointment on that cut.
Recent Examples on the Web Aquaphor also works as a first aid ointment if your child gets a minor cut or scrape. Katrina Cossey, Parents, 27 Feb. 2024 During the trial, a former student who is now 27 years old testified that Raines applied an ointment to a poison oak rash on his genital area. Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024 The Olivers took to Facebook to tell their friends about Ike’s worsening condition, and they were then contacted by a stranger who advised them to try chloramphenicol – an antibiotic used as an eye ointment to treat human conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 26 Nov. 2023 The original owners sold the property to Nagel in 2011 for $4.12 million, according to tax records, but almost immediately there were some flies in the ointment that caused a legal dustup. Mark David, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2023 Gauze, ointment and clean water were in short supply. Samar Abu Elouf Samar Abu Elouf, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2024 The first traveler, who arrived on Aug. 1 and was headed to Fairfax, Virginia, also had 77 dry seahorses, five jars of snail ointment and five dead snakes, officials said. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2023 Then, add bandages and antibiotic ointment for attending to small surface wounds. Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024 Baffert has contended that the colt was administered betamethasone in a topical ointment for a rash rather than through an injection into the joint. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ointment.' 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

Middle English, alteration of oynement, from Anglo-French uignement, oignement, ultimately from Latin unguentum, from unguere to anoint; akin to Old High German ancho butter, Sanskrit anakti he salves

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ointment was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ointment

Cite this Entry

“Ointment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ointment. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ointment

noun
oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
: a semisolid greasy medicine for use on the skin

Medical Definition

ointment

noun
oint·​ment ˈȯint-mənt How to pronounce ointment (audio)
: a salve or unguent for application to the skin
specifically : a semisolid medicinal preparation usually having a base of fatty or greasy material
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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