rennet

noun ren·net \ ˈre-nət \

Definition of rennet

1 a : the contents of the stomach of an unweaned animal and especially a calf

b : the lining membrane of a stomach or one of its compartments (such as the fourth of a ruminant) used for curdling milk; also : a preparation of the stomach of animals used for this purpose

2 a : rennin

b : a substitute for rennin

See rennet defined for kids

Recent Examples of rennet from the Web

Real cheese as it’s been made for thousands of years is made with milk, rennet, and salt, and that’s it.

— alex van buren, Health.com, "What Is Vegan Cheese Exactly—and Should You Be Eating It?," 29 Mar. 2018
Organic vegetable rennet is available in an eyedrop-size bottle in the refrigerator case at Mom’s.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Beyond bugs: 12 unique (and strange) ingredients at Mom's Organic Market and what to do with them," 16 May 2018
Because an acid like vinegar or lemon juice is used to create the curds (rennet serves that purpose in most cheese), paneer retains its shape when heated.

— eric velasco, AL.com, "Where to get the best Indian paneer dishes in Birmingham," 19 Oct. 2017
Add rennet to remaining ¼ cup water and mix until dissolved.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "It may be fast-casual food, but Red Herring's menu 'isn't a joke'," 11 July 2017
Rennet rapidly converts milk into a cloudy gel by changing the structure of a milk protein called casein.

— jordan c. axelson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In Wisconsin, we love our cheese curds. But how are they made? And why do they squeak?," 7 July 2017
Remember, some vegetarians will not eat cheeses made with animal rennet.

— lauren williams, Orange County Register, "Tips from a cheese enthusiast on how to create the perfect cheese platter," 17 Feb. 2017
With the help of rennet (an enzyme), the milk’s physical form changes from liquid to solid (which become curds).

— allyson reedy, The Denver Post, "Why do we love cheese? We count the ways with experts of the ooey-gooey goodness.," 18 Jan. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rennet

Middle English, from Middle English *rennen to cause to coagulate, from Old English gerennan, from ge- together + *rennan to cause to run; akin to Old High German rennen to cause to run, Old English rinnan to run — more at co-, run

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

rennet

noun ren·net \ ˈren-ət \

medical Definition of rennet

1 a : the contents of the stomach of an unweaned animal and especially a calf

b : the lining membrane of a stomach or one of its compartments (as the fourth of a ruminant) used for curdling milk; also : a preparation of the stomach of animals used for this purpose

2 a : rennin

b : a substitute for rennin