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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
Remember that essential oils, while natural, are not risk-free.
—Kathi Valeii, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024
Combine melted beeswax with an assortment of oils, such as palm oil, avocado oil, and sunflower oil, scented essential oils, water, and lye.
—Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2024
These aromatherapy releasing shower steamers are going to fill your shower with the wonderful smell of natural essential oils.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2024
Its signature grape extract and essential oils can be spritzed on before or after makeup application, to refresh skin after a workout, to give yourself a moment of relaxation, and, of course, to get skin glowing on demand.
—Allure, 26 Sep. 2024
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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 6 Dec. 2024.
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 oilMore from Merriam-Webster on essential oil
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about essential oil
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