tallow

1 of 2

noun

tal·​low ˈta-(ˌ)lō 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

tallowy

ˈta-lə-wē 

adjective

tallow

2 of 2

verb

tallowed; tallowing; tallows

transitive verb

: to grease or smear with tallow

Examples of tallow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The January 2026 dietary guidelines — which discarded 421 pages of scientific recommendations from the advisory committee — now list butter and beef tallow alongside olive oil as acceptable cooking fats. —Cole Hanson, STAT, 22 May 2026

That high smoke point is part of why tallow has gained traction with home cooks who want a fat that holds up to high-heat frying and roasting without breaking down. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026

Beef tallow is having a moment. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026

Where butter brings sweetness and richness, tallow brings a savory, almost umami-forward depth. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English talgh, talow; akin to Middle Dutch talch tallow

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tallow

• callow
• hallo
• hallow
• mallow
• palo
• sallow
• shallow
• caballo
• cavallo

Kids Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low

ˈtal-ō

: the solid fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

Medical Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low ˈtal-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep which is used chiefly in soap, margarine, candles, and lubricants and of which the form obtained from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is used in pharmacy in ointments and cerates