sulfite

noun

sul·​fite ˈsəl-ˌfīt How to pronounce sulfite (audio)
: a salt or ester of sulfurous acid
sulfitic adjective

Examples of sulfite 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.
One study suggests that sulfite sensitivity may affect up to 10% of people with asthma. Grains Beer and some spirits contain wheat, barley, or rye, which may trigger reactions in people with grain or gluten allergies. Lauryn Higgins, Time, 22 July 2025 Golden raisins typically contain sulfur dioxide and sulfites to maintain their light color, unlike dark raisins which generally don't require these additives. Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025 They’re made from organic grapes, and are low in sugar and sulfites. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 10 July 2025 First, the researchers boil samples of wood in a watery mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, which works to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose from the material. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sulfite

Word History

Etymology

French sulfite, alteration of sulfate

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfite was in 1788

Cite this Entry

“Sulfite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfite. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

sulfite

noun
sul·​fite
variants or chiefly British sulphite
: a salt or ester of sulfurous acid

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfite

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