rosin

noun ros·in \ ˈrä-zᵊn , ˈrȯ- , dialectal ˈrȯ-zəm \

|Updated on: 21 May 2018

Definition of rosin

: a translucent amber-colored to almost black brittle friable resin that is obtained from the oleoresin or deadwood of pine trees or from tall oil and used especially in making varnish

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Recent Examples of rosin from the Web

Equipment manager Spencer Dallin and his staff also packed things like pine tar, rosin bags, batting tees and balls for the batting cage and special laundry detergent that are usually provided by the home team.

— kevin acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Padres excited for experience of series in Mexico," 3 May 2018
When heat is added to the process, the resulting compound is called rosin hash.

— alex wigglesworth, latimes.com, "Legal weed in California: A consumer's guide," 20 Apr. 2018
The land included an 8,000-square-foot barn big enough to cure and dry marijuana buds, as well as room to process extracts, rosins and hash.

— laura m. holson, New York Times, "Pot Farmer to Neighbors: Chill Out. Neighbors: No.," 26 Sep. 2017
As Encarnacion finished his trot, Sale slammed the rosin bag to the ground.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians' offense impressive vs. Red Sox LHP Chris Sale: DMan's weekly recap," 6 Aug. 2017
Larson and her business partner now produce all of Toucan's rosin bags.

— tribune news service, OregonLive.com, "How a Washington town's economy is shifting from timber to marijuana," 31 July 2017
Sunscreen mixed with rosin has become a popular method, with plenty of pitchers going to their wrists or necks in between pitches.

— mike berardino, Twin Cities, "Get a grip, Twins pitchers say of online accusations about Jose Berrios and his cap," 14 May 2017
Bauer went to the rosin bag to try and get a better grip on the ball.

— paul hoynes, cleveland.com, "Sunday's shower brings another Cleveland Indians' shutout and an early return for Trevor Bauer," 5 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of rosin

Middle English, from Anglo-French reisine, rosine resin

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First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined above

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rosin

verb

Definition of rosin

rosined; rosining play \ˈräz-niŋ, ˈrȯz-; ˈrä-zᵊn-iŋ, ˈrȯ-\

transitive verb

: to rub or treat (something, such as the bow of a violin) with rosin

First Known Use of rosin

14th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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ROSIN Defined for Kids

rosin

noun ros·in \ ˈrä-zᵊn \

Definition of rosin for Students

: a hard brittle yellow to dark red substance obtained especially from pine trees and used in varnishes and on violin bows

Medical Dictionary

rosin

noun ros·in \ ˈräz-ᵊn , ˈrȯz- \

medical Definition of rosin

: a translucent amber-colored to almost black brittle friable resin that is obtained from the oleoresin or deadwood of pine trees or from tall oil and is used in pharmacology as an adhesive constituent in plasters, cerates, and ointments — called also colophony