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1
: powdered talc
2
: a toilet powder composed of perfumed talc or talc and a mild antiseptic
Examples of talcum powder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Owyhee gumbo is an extremely sticky goo that results when rain hits the talcum powder dirt.
—Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Preliminary test results on the white powder in the first envelope opened have come back as being talcum powder, the source said, The authorities have to test every envelope with care and while following procedure, which will take time.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2023
Baking soda or talcum powder will also absorb sweat and help counter smell.
—John Thompson, Men's Health, 26 June 2023
For instance, try placing some baking soda or talcum powder inside your closed-toed shoes to absorb any extra moisture and help manage odor.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2023
In the olden days, people applied perfume and talcum powder to try to cover up the smell of BO.
—WIRED, 30 Sep. 2023
Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Trial lawyers are besieging Johnson & Johnson with claims that its talcum powder is responsible for a variety of medical problems.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 15 Oct. 2023
At 60, women were expected to resign themselves to getting nothing but talcum powder and soap sets for their birthdays and watching everyone else have all the fun.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
Set bed bug interceptor traps by taping or gluing two plastic containers together (one large one and one small to fit inside of it) and sprinkling talcum powder at the bottom of the containers.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talcum powder.' 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
Medieval Latin talcum talc
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near talcum powder
Cite this Entry
“Talcum powder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talcum%20powder. Accessed 28 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
talcum powder
noun
tal·cum powder
ˈtal-kəm-
: a powder composed of perfumed talc or talc and a mild antiseptic for sprinkling or rubbing over the skin
Medical Definition
talcum powder
noun1
: powdered talc
2
: a toilet powder composed of perfumed talc or talc and some mild antiseptic
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