coumarin

noun

cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən How to pronounce coumarin (audio)
: a toxic white crystalline lactone C9H6O2 with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as a parent compound in anticoagulant agents
also : a derivative of this compound

Examples of coumarin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
In any case, chamomile flowers—which look like adorable, tiny daisies—contain flavonoids, terpenoids, and coumarins which certainly have mildly sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties. Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024 Some cassia cinnamon products contain high levels of coumarin, a substance that can be harmful to the liver. Johna Burdeos, Health, 21 Oct. 2024 This is due to the spice's high concentration of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds like coumarin, cinnamic acid, cinnamaldehyde, and eugenol.19 Cinnamon tea can be made with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks. Jillian Kubala, Health, 16 July 2024 Sweet, vanilla-scented coumarin is found in cinnamon. Popular Science, 31 Aug. 2023 Both jars also showed hints of the compounds coumarin and benzoic acid. Popular Science, 31 Aug. 2023 This latest version of the scent reportedly features top notes of lavender and bergamot, middle notes of jasmine, iris, and rose, and base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, coumarin, benzoin, licorice, and patchouli. Marci Robin, Allure, 4 Aug. 2019 Galium odoratum owes its sweet scent to the odiferous agent coumarin. Earl Nickel, SFChronicle.com, 8 June 2018 Cassia can contain relatively high concentrations of coumarin, a plant compound that can damage the liver. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 8 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

French coumarine, from coumarou tonka bean tree, from Spanish or Portuguese; Spanish cumarú, from Portuguese, from Tupi *kumarú, *kumbarú

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of coumarin was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near coumarin

Cite this Entry

“Coumarin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coumarin. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

coumarin

noun
cou·​ma·​rin ˈkü-mə-rən How to pronounce coumarin (audio)
: a toxic white crystalline lactone C9H6O2 with an odor of new-mown hay found in plants or made synthetically and used especially in perfumery and as the parent compound in various anticoagulant agents (as warfarin)
also : a derivative of this compound

More from Merriam-Webster on coumarin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!