saponify

verb

sa·pon·i·fy | \ sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī

saponified; saponifying

Definition of saponify

: to convert (something, such as fat) into soap specifically : to hydrolyze (a fat) with alkali to form a soap and glycerol

intransitive verb

: to undergo saponifying

Other Words from saponify Example Sentences Learn More About saponify

Other Words from saponify

saponifiable \ sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī-ə-bəl

\ adjective

saponifier \ sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r

\ noun

Examples of saponify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Although rare to find, cerebral tissues found in archaeological discoveries have saponified, the process by which triglycerides turn into glycerol and fatty acid salts, or soap. — Fox News, 24 Jan. 2020 Beauty products include deodorant cream made with local California sagebrush and arrowroot, as well as the cleansing version of your favorite latte: a golden milk soap saponified with raw goat milk, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger. — Dakota Kim, Sunset Magazine, 10 Feb. 2020 Made out of a formula that was discovered loosely placed in an old New England Cookbook, this all-natural shampoo bar is made of just three ingredients: saponified olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. — Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2020

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