tocopherol

noun

to·​coph·​er·​ol tō-ˈkä-fə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce tocopherol (audio)
-ˌrōl
: any of several fat-soluble oily phenolic compounds with varying degrees of antioxidant vitamin E activity
especially : alpha-tocopherol

Examples of tocopherol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mixed tocopherols: These natural antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals and oxidative damage. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2023 Apart from providing essential omega-3 fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health and brain function, this supplement also contains vitamin E and mixed tocopherols to prevent oxidation and ensure freshness. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2023 No additional flavoring/ingredients other than preservatives (ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol) are allowed in GHNA products. Good Housekeeping, 4 Mar. 2020 The three most common allergens were fragrances, parabens and tocopherol. Jane E. Brody, idahostatesman, 29 Oct. 2017

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

toco- (combining form from Greek tókos "childbirth, act of giving birth [of animals]") + Greek phérein "to carry, bring, bring about, produce" + -ol entry 1; so named because it was found to be a dietary factor essential for reproduction in rats — more at dystocia, bear entry 2

Note: The name tocopherol was introduced in an article by the American anatomist and embryologist Herbert McLean Evans (1882-1971), the biochemist and nutritionist Gladys Anderson Emerson (1903-84), and the biochemist Oliver Huddleston Emerson ("The isolation from wheat germ oil of an alcohol, α-tocopherol, having the properties of Vitamin E," Journal of Biological Chemistry, vol. 113, no. 1 [February 1, 1936], pp. 319-32). The isolation of α-tocopherol is generally credited to Gladys Emerson.

First Known Use

circa 1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tocopherol was circa 1936

Dictionary Entries Near tocopherol

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

tocopherol

noun
to·​coph·​er·​ol tō-ˈkäf-ə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce tocopherol (audio)
-ˌrōl

Medical Definition

tocopherol

noun
to·​coph·​er·​ol tō-ˈkäf-ə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce tocopherol (audio) -ˌrōl How to pronounce tocopherol (audio)
: any of several fat-soluble oily phenolic compounds with varying degrees of antioxidant vitamin E activity
especially : alpha-tocopherol

More from Merriam-Webster on tocopherol

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