essential oil
noun
: any of a class of volatile oils that give plants their characteristic odors and are used especially in perfumes and flavorings, and for aromatherapy compare fixed oil
Examples of essential oil in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The reduction process that extracts cannabidiol from the cannabis plant can introduce heavy metals and other contaminants, including solvents used to extract essential oils from the flower, Rahman explained.
—
Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Soaps and essential oil sprays handmade by Robert and Jeff and dish towels inscribed with sassy quotes were on display.
—Anna Braz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Apply the salt to your bath for a mineral-rich seaweed and essential oil bathhouse classic.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Aug. 2023
In a small bowl, mix together one or two drops of essential oil, water, and olive oil.
—Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023
The base notes, also called dry-down notes, include cistus oil (a type of essential oil) and Madagascar vanilla beans.
—Lily Wohlner, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
For those experiencing smell loss without access to a smell and taste clinic, Cho recommends smell training at home twice a day with essential oils.
—Aara'l Yarber, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Aug. 2023
These soy candles that are infused with pine, cedar and birch tar essential oils are the next best thing to being outside.
—Megan Stein, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023
Simply put a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the top of the box, which can also open up to fit aromatherapy strips inside.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 28 July 2023
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Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Sep. 2023
Soaps and essential oil sprays handmade by Robert and Jeff and dish towels inscribed with sassy quotes were on display.
—Anna Braz, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023
Apply the salt to your bath for a mineral-rich seaweed and essential oil bathhouse classic.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Aug. 2023
In a small bowl, mix together one or two drops of essential oil, water, and olive oil.
—Rachelle Doorley, Parents, 16 Aug. 2023
The base notes, also called dry-down notes, include cistus oil (a type of essential oil) and Madagascar vanilla beans.
—Lily Wohlner, Women's Health, 9 Aug. 2023
For those experiencing smell loss without access to a smell and taste clinic, Cho recommends smell training at home twice a day with essential oils.
—Aara'l Yarber, Anchorage Daily News, 3 Aug. 2023
These soy candles that are infused with pine, cedar and birch tar essential oils are the next best thing to being outside.
—Megan Stein, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2023
Simply put a few drops of your favorite essential oil into the top of the box, which can also open up to fit aromatherapy strips inside.
—Tim Chan, Variety, 28 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'essential oil.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1674, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near essential oil
Cite this Entry
“Essential oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essential%20oil. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Medical Definition
essential oil
noun
: any of a large class of volatile odoriferous oils of vegetable origin that give plants their characteristic odors and often other properties, that are obtained from various parts of the plants (as flowers, leaves, or bark) by steam distillation, expression, or extraction, that are usually mixtures of compounds (as aldehydes or esters), and that are used often in the form of essences in perfumes, flavorings, and pharmaceutical preparations
called also ethereal oil, volatile oil
compare fatty oil, fixed oil
More from Merriam-Webster on essential oil
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essential oil
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