lauric acid

noun lau·ric acid \ ˈlȯr-ik- , ˈlär- \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of lauric acid

: a crystalline fatty acid C₁₂H₂₄O₂ found especially in coconut oil and used chiefly in making soaps and esters

Recent Examples of lauric acid from the Web

Theoretically, the properties in coconut oil should be beneficial to acne—vitamin E and linoleic acid soothe irritated skin, while lauric acid kills bacteria—but coconut oil hasn’t actually been shown to improve acne in any studies.

— chloe metzger, Marie Claire, "Before You Put Coconut Oil on Your Face, Read This," 7 June 2018
Still, people do miss their unhealthy fats and, in the latest rage, many have latched onto coconut oil in the mistaken belief that its main highly saturated fat, lauric acid, and other nutrients can enhance health rather than undermine it.

— jane e. brody, New York Times, "Good Fats, Bad Fats," 29 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of lauric acid

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin laurus

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First Known Use: 1863

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

lauric acid

noun lau·ric acid \ ˌlȯr-ik-, ˌlär- \

medical Definition of lauric acid

: a crystalline fatty acid C₁₂H₂₄O₂ found especially in coconut oil and used in making soaps, esters, and lauryl alcohol — called also dodecanoic acid