agar

noun \ ˈä-gər \

Definition of agar

1 : a gelatinous colloidal extract of a red alga (as of the genera Gelidium, Gracilaria, and Eucheuma) used especially in culture media or as a gelling and stabilizing agent in foods

2 : a culture medium containing agar

See agar defined for kids

Recent Examples of agar from the Web

Seedpods are sterilized and opened to extract the seeds, which are then sowed onto an agar media in a scientific flask for germination to take place.

— jennifer billock, Smithsonian, "Over 60,000 Plants Bloom Inside the World’s Largest Orchid Garden," 20 July 2017
To make agar gel, whisk cold water and agar together in saucepan.

— molly kimball, NOLA.com, "Don't let 'vegan cheese' label scare you away from these tasty nut, veggie spreads," 29 Aug. 2017
Each colony that ended up growing on the agar represented one original bacterial cell from the frosting.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "Blowing Out Birthday Candles Increases Cake Bacteria by 1,400 Percent," 27 July 2017
Seedpods are sterilized and opened to extract the seeds, which are then sowed onto an agar media in a scientific flask for germination to take place.

— jennifer billock, Smithsonian, "Over 60,000 Plants Bloom Inside the World’s Largest Orchid Garden," 20 July 2017
Martel and Pasmans took skin samples and after 3 weeks managed to culture a fungus on substrates of agar and broth.

— erik stokstad, Science | AAAS, "A fungus is attacking Europe’s most beloved salamander. It could wreak havoc if it gets to North America," 19 July 2017
This gelatin substitute uses agar-agar, a product made from a seaweed that has gelling properties and is often used in Southeast Asian desserts.

— danielle guercio, The Seattle Times, "Bite-size snacks are packed with joy | Cannabis recipe," 17 May 2017
There will be a diorama lined with tile and containing sculptures coated with agar, a gelatinous substance that supports the growth of bacteria gathered in Manhattan’s Chinatown and Koreatown.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "The Beauty of Bacteria: Anicka Yi’s ‘Life Is Cheap’," 15 Apr. 2017
Infrared thermometers are useful in biology labs like Plank and Dombrowski’s, where sticking a conventional thermometer into an agar plate or a water bath would contaminate biological samples.

— lisa grossman, WIRED, "DIY Laser-Safety Update: There’s an Easier Way," 8 Sep. 2010

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'agar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of agar

short for Malay agar-agar, name for the red alga from which it is extracted

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1813

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

agar

noun \ ˈäg-ər \

medical Definition of agar

1 : a gelatinous colloidal extract of a red alga (as of the genera Gelidium, Gracilaria, and Eucheuma) used especially in culture media or as a gelling and stabilizing agent in foods

2 : a culture medium containing agar