acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
1
: a salt or ester of acetic acid
2
: cellulose acetate
also : something (such as a textile fiber) made from cellulose acetate
3
: a phonograph recording disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate

Examples of acetate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Totally coincidentally, n-pentyl acetate is what gives bananas their signature odor. Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, 30 Aug. 2023 And, for everyday, a good pair of sunglasses is essential, ideally in a black acetate. Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2023 To do this, the team applied a coat of a substance called ethylene-vinyl acetate. Jackie Appel, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2023 Made with thick acetate, the frames are capable of standing up to windy environments and keeping eyes protected. Jaylyn Pruitt, Health, 14 June 2023 The acetate is then pumped into a growing chamber to feed the mushrooms, which can plump up in the dark in a matter of weeks. Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 12 June 2023 Both zinc gluconate and zinc acetate have been shown to be effective in helping shorten cold duration when taken as zinc lozenges.15 Can zinc raise testosterone levels? Kelsey Kunik, Rd, Health, 25 July 2023 Look for towels made of fabrics like microfiber or PVA (Polyvinyl acetate) that are soft against the skin and provide optimal moisture absorption. Talene Appleton, menshealth.com, 26 May 2023 The Joomra Pillow Slide Sandals are made from ethylene vinyl acetate (aka: EVA), which is a lightweight, durable, and super breathable material. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 7 May 2023 See More

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

borrowed from French acétate, from (acide) acétique acetic acid + -ate, -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetate was in 1788

Dictionary Entries Near acetate

Cite this Entry

“Acetate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetate. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

acetate

noun
ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of acetic acid with another substance
2
: something made from acetate or from cellulose and acetate combined

Medical Definition

acetate

noun
ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce acetate (audio)
: a salt or ester of acetic acid

More from Merriam-Webster on acetate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!