acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈa-sə-ˌtāt 

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

Ipamorelin acetate sits in a middle zone of its own. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

Fabrics like silk, acetate, clothes with elastic, and more are not suited for vinegar and should be tested with a small amount at first or not used at all. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 June 2026

For a beach-friendly pair of Birkenstocks, try its Eva line that’s made of ethylene vinyl acetate, which feels like flexible rubber. —Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Coaxing plants to use acetate for energy instead of photosynthesis is not an easy feat. —Derek Norman, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing acetate

• amyl acetate
• cellulose acetate
• ethyl acetate
• lead acetate
• medroxyprogesterone acetate
• methyl acetate
• polyvinyl acetate

Rhymes for acetate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate
• annotate

Kids Definition

acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt 

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 

: a salt or ester of acetic acid