cochineal
noun
co·chi·neal
ˈkä-chə-ˌnēl 
ˈkō-
1
: a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
2
Examples of cochineal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The insect known as cochineal (Dactylopius coccus) is oval-shaped.
—
Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
Pluck a tiny cochineal from a prickly pear cactus: The insect produces a bright-red dye that was prized in Europe for two centuries.
—Elisabeth Malkin, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023
But blush prevailed again during the Renaissance, with concoctions of cochineal, sandalwood, or cinnabar mixed with grease or wax.
—Linda Wells, Town & Country, 16 Apr. 2021
The dye used by the Aztecs to produce this incredible tone of red was obtained from a tiny insect, the cochineal, that lives on cactus plants (various species belonging to the genus Opuntia, the prickly pear).
—Longreads, 23 Mar. 2021
The paintings are by Metsu and Ter Borch, the compositions and concepts subtly varied, yet each includes an elegant young woman in a shimmering white silk skirt and a cochineal-red bodice.
—Karen Wilkin, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2017
Starbucks was using what is called a cochineal dye, which is a natural dye derived from insects, to color its strawberry Frappuccinos.
—Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic, 8 May 2017
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Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023
Pluck a tiny cochineal from a prickly pear cactus: The insect produces a bright-red dye that was prized in Europe for two centuries.
—Elisabeth Malkin, New York Times, 23 Nov. 2023
But blush prevailed again during the Renaissance, with concoctions of cochineal, sandalwood, or cinnabar mixed with grease or wax.
—Linda Wells, Town & Country, 16 Apr. 2021
The dye used by the Aztecs to produce this incredible tone of red was obtained from a tiny insect, the cochineal, that lives on cactus plants (various species belonging to the genus Opuntia, the prickly pear).
—Longreads, 23 Mar. 2021
The paintings are by Metsu and Ter Borch, the compositions and concepts subtly varied, yet each includes an elegant young woman in a shimmering white silk skirt and a cochineal-red bodice.
—Karen Wilkin, WSJ, 23 Oct. 2017
Starbucks was using what is called a cochineal dye, which is a natural dye derived from insects, to color its strawberry Frappuccinos.
—Joe Pinsker, The Atlantic, 8 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Cochineal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cochineal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cochineal
noun
co·chi·neal
ˈkäch-ə-ˌnēl
ˈkō-chə-
: a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects
Medical Definition
cochineal
noun
co·chi·neal
ˈkäch-ə-ˌnēl, ˈkō-chə-
: a red dye consisting of the dried bodies of female cochineal insects used especially as a biological stain and as an indicator
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