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

Examples of agar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The full pattern of agar failure that emerged is confusing, though. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 25 Sep. 2024 What to watch in the market this week Surprising discoveries Scientists depend on agar — a gelatin-like substance that comes from seaweed — to grow yeast. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 5 Aug. 2024 And yet here was agar, foiling day after day of experiments. Bymolly Herring, science.org, 31 July 2024 Despite agar’s significance, few remember Hesse’s key role in microbiology history. Corrado Nai, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for agar 

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

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

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of agar was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near agar

Cite this Entry

“Agar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agar. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

agar

noun
variants also agar-agar
ˈäg-ə-ˈräg-ər
1
: a jellylike substance obtained from a red alga and used especially in culture media or to give firmness to foods
2
: a culture medium containing agar

Medical Definition

agar

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on agar

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