suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat about the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton that yields tallow

Examples of suet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Note that homemade suet cakes should only be put outside in cold weather, as the suet softens and melts in warm weather. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Dec. 2025

When providing food for birds at feeders, use energy-rich options, like sunflower seeds, peanuts, suet, thistle, and sugar water or oranges. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 18 Dec. 2025

And our spare fridge into a fridge for breast milk, and suet. —Ariel Dumas, New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2025

Meniscus augur & hour of errors as the mercury rag spills its rings from his last good pore, his teeth shaped in greenhouse suet or little expectant pots of orchid balm in snow. —Michael D. Snediker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sewet, from Anglo-French suet, siuet, from seu, su hard animal fat, from Latin sebum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat around the kidneys in beef and mutton from which tallow is made

Medical Definition

suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat about the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton that yields tallow and that in prepared form is used in some pharmaceutical ointments