kaolin

noun ka·o·lin \ ˈkā-ə-lən \

Definition of kaolin

:a fine usually white clay that is used in ceramics and refractories, as a filler or extender, and in medicine especially as an adsorbent in the treatment of diarrhea

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Recent Examples of kaolin from the Web

FOMO features a redness-reducing blend of calamine and rose, while Birth of Venus has a smoothing combo of kaolin clay and sea water that's great for moisturizing oily skin.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "We Tried Those Lush Jelly Masks, and They're Fun As Hell," 25 Aug. 2017
This includes: salicylic acid, kaolin (commonly found in clay masks), sulfur, retinyl palmitate (a retinol derivative), and glycolic acid to smooth skin.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "This Concealer Also Fights Acne," 7 Aug. 2017
Ingredients in Jean Nate body powder include talc, kaolin, fragrance, limonene, linalool, hydroxycitronellol, geraniol, citronellol and coumarin.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Where can I find it?," 18 July 2017
Its primary ingredients are shea butter, coconut oil, and kaolin clay.

— adam hurly, GQ, "The Best Men's Deodorant for Every Kind of Stink and Sweat," 12 June 2017
Once dry, the pattern is painted over by another artist, who uses paints made from red clay, black ash, or white kaolin, among other natural materials.

— justin fornal, National Geographic, "Dung Art Helps Genocide Victims Recover," 17 Apr. 2017
To keep out air and water, the tomb builders encased her entire cypress wood sepulcher in a layer of charcoal and kaolin clay several feet thick.

— nathaniel scharping, Discover Magazine, "The Eternal Mummy Princesses," 6 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kaolin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of kaolin

French kaolin, from Gaoling hill in China

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1741

See Words from the same year

KAOLIN Defined for Kids

kaolin

noun ka·o·lin \ ˈkā-ə-lən \

Definition of kaolin for Students

:a very pure white clay used in making porcelain

Medical Dictionary

kaolin

noun ka·olin \ ˈkā-ə-lən \

medical Definition of kaolin

:a fine usually white clay that is used in ceramics and refractories, as a filler or extender, and in medicine especially as an adsorbent in the treatment of diarrhea (as in food poisoning or dysentery)