carrageenan
noun
car·ra·geen·an
ˌker-ə-ˈgē-nən 
ˌka-rə-
variants
or carrageenin
: a colloid extracted from various red algae (such as Irish moss) and used especially as a stabilizing or thickening agent
Examples of carrageenan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
It's long been harvested for its carrageenan, which is used in the food industry as a thickening agent and emulsifier in products like ice cream and puddings, even nut milks.
—
Maria Godoy, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
The curds are then heated and stabilized (usually with ingredients like carob bean gum or carrageenan), in order to keep the texture smooth instead of crumbly.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Other potentially irritating ingredients include fermentable fibers like inulin and carrageenan, gums and thickeners like xanthan gum, and sugar alcohols that can produce gas as a byproduct and trigger stomach discomfort, Sharp says.
—Sonya Collins, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Thickeners: Lower-fat cottage cheese is more likely to contain thickeners like carrageenan and guar gum, but these additives are also in some full-fat cottage cheeses.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
The document, which appeared to be a draft, included a section on emulsifiers, such as xanthan gum and carrageenan.
—David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Designed for kids aged six months to six years, the products are safe-to-swallow, carrageenan and fluoride-free and Leaping Bunny Certified.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
This same principle allows ingredients like guar gum and carrageenan to help keep ice cream smooth in the freezer by preventing stray bits of liquid water from joining slow-growing ice crystals.
—Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
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Maria Godoy, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025
The curds are then heated and stabilized (usually with ingredients like carob bean gum or carrageenan), in order to keep the texture smooth instead of crumbly.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Other potentially irritating ingredients include fermentable fibers like inulin and carrageenan, gums and thickeners like xanthan gum, and sugar alcohols that can produce gas as a byproduct and trigger stomach discomfort, Sharp says.
—Sonya Collins, Fortune, 25 June 2025
Thickeners: Lower-fat cottage cheese is more likely to contain thickeners like carrageenan and guar gum, but these additives are also in some full-fat cottage cheeses.
—Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025
The document, which appeared to be a draft, included a section on emulsifiers, such as xanthan gum and carrageenan.
—David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Designed for kids aged six months to six years, the products are safe-to-swallow, carrageenan and fluoride-free and Leaping Bunny Certified.
—Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025
This same principle allows ingredients like guar gum and carrageenan to help keep ice cream smooth in the freezer by preventing stray bits of liquid water from joining slow-growing ice crystals.
—Ali Bouzari, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Carrageenan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrageenan. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
carrageenan
noun
car·ra·geen·an
variants
or carrageenin
: a substance obtained from various red algae (as Irish moss) that is used in foods especially to stabilize and thicken them
Medical Definition
carrageenan
noun
car·ra·geen·an
variants
also carrageenin
or carragheenan
: a typically gel-forming polysaccharide extracted from various red algae (such as Irish moss) and used especially as a suspending agent (as in foods) and as a clarifying agent (as for beverages) and in controlling crystal growth in frozen confections
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