linoleic acid

noun

lin·​o·​le·​ic acid ˌli-nə-ˈlē-ik-  -ˈlā- 

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₁₈H₃₂O₂ found especially in semidrying oils (such as corn oil) and essential for the nutrition of some animals

Examples of linoleic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What sparked the uproar is the level of linoleic acid in the eggs. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Jan. 2026

This protein also appears to change how the body processes linoleic acid, a major component of soybean oil. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026

Chia Seed Pudding Beats Yogurt for Omega-3s Chia seeds contain several fatty acids, including alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), which is an omega-3 fatty acid. —Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 27 Dec. 2025

Despite containing no cholesterol, the oil's predominant fatty acid—linoleic acid—has come under scrutiny for its role in metabolic disorders. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek linon flax + International Scientific Vocabulary oleic (acid)

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for linoleic acid

• antacid
• placid

Medical Definition

linoleic acid

noun

lin·​ole·​ic acid ˌlin-ə-ˌlē-ik-  -ˌlā- 

: a liquid unsaturated fatty acid C₁₈H₃₂O₂ found especially in semidrying oils (as peanut oil) and essential for the nutrition of some animals

called also linolic acid