starch

verb

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\ ˈstärch

starched; starching; starches

Definition of starch

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to stiffen with or as if with starch

starch

noun

Definition of starch (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine

2 : a stiff formal manner : formality

3 : resolute vigor

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Examples of starch in a Sentence

Verb He starches the collars of his shirts. Noun a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Cousins of one-pot meals, sheet-pan suppers combine vegetables, protein and starch in a single piece of cookware, but offer a larger canvas to compose a range of shapes and colors. — Genevieve Ko New York Times, Star Tribune, "Let sheet pans be your savior for quick, easy meals," 7 Apr. 2021 Legend has it that Portuguese nuns and monks, having used egg whites to starch their religious clothing, used the leftover yolks to make pastries, including these sinfully delicious custard tarts. — CNN, "The world's 50 best foods," 13 Apr. 2021 Cousins of one-pot meals, sheet-pan suppers combine vegetables, protein and starch in a single piece of cookware, but offer a larger canvas to compose a range of shapes and colors. — Genevieve Ko New York Times, Star Tribune, "Let sheet pans be your savior for quick, easy meals," 7 Apr. 2021 Cousins of one-pot meals, sheet-pan suppers combine vegetables, protein and starch in a single piece of cookware, but offer a larger canvas to compose a range of shapes and colors. — Genevieve Ko New York Times, Star Tribune, "Let sheet pans be your savior for quick, easy meals," 7 Apr. 2021 Pearl barley, which has that bran layer removed, cooks faster and will release starch into your cooking liquid, which can help make dishes thick and creamy, like in this barley risotto. — Washington Post, "5 hearty grains and how to use them in bowls, salads and even cake," 25 Feb. 2021 Cousins of one-pot meals, sheet-pan suppers combine vegetables, protein and starch in a single piece of cookware, but offer a larger canvas to compose a range of shapes and colors. — New York Times, "The (Surprising) Rise of the Sheet Pan," 23 Feb. 2021 The two are mashed together into an amalgamation of tartness and starch for a dish that’s the perfect accompaniment to fatty sausages, pork chops or other heavy cuts of meat. — Paul Stephen, ExpressNews.com, "5 global mashed potato dishes to star in 2020’s Thanksgiving meal," 18 Nov. 2020 As the sugar in the peas turns to starch, their sweetness fades. — Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, "Sugar snap peas are loaded with a healthy dose of vitamin C," 7 Aug. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun To stabilize the chemicals, the Frees experimented with rubber cement, potato starch, varnish, plaster of Paris and egg albumin before settling on gelatin, which appeared to work best. — New York Times, "Helen Murray Free Dies at 98; Chemist Developed Diabetes Test," 3 May 2021 The flour’s protein content is then enriched while carbs or starch might be reduced. — BostonGlobe.com, "Nothing to squawk at: Plant-based ‘chicken’ is pretty delicious — and on the verge of a major breakthrough," 13 Apr. 2021 In the meantime, US Boba is trying to transport the starch by means other than ships, as well as trying to find suppliers in the U.S., where cassava is rarely grown. — Los Angeles Times, "‘Like Bobageddon’: Boba tea aficionados are freaking out as shortage looms," 19 Apr. 2021 The pearls are made from the starch of the cassava root, a tuber also known as yuca, native to South America. — oregonlive, "With more than 30 new boba tea shops in 3 years, Portland can’t seem to get enough boba," 14 Apr. 2021 Food exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1 fat. Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press. — Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, "Chicken Satay Bowls are a one-stop Asian dish loaded with vitamins and minerals," 27 Mar. 2021 Doing so removes the starch that helps the vegetable strands stick together and also aids in crispiness. — Washington Post, "How to make crispy shredded hash browns part of your breakfast rotation," 19 Mar. 2021 Bagel preferences arose again on Thursday at a mayoral forum hosted by the New York Jewish Agenda, when candidates were asked about their order at a New York Jewish deli, an institution where rye bread, not a bagel, is often the starch of choice. — New York Times, "Bagel Orders and Vaccine Appointments: 5 Takeaways From the Mayor’s Race," 22 Feb. 2021 The crust is made from a gluten-free dough that uses wheat starch as the main ingredient instead of traditional wheat flour. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Gluten-Free Pizza From This Classic Brand Is Finally Here," 7 Apr. 2021

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

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Last Updated

5 May 2021

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“Starch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starch. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for starch

starch

verb

English Language Learners Definition of starch

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to make (clothing) stiff by using starch

starch

noun

English Language Learners Definition of starch (Entry 2 of 2)

: a substance that is found in certain foods (such as bread, rice, and potatoes)

: a powder or liquid that contains starch and is used to make clothing stiff

See the full definition for starch in the English Language Learners Dictionary

starch

noun

\ ˈstärch

Kids Definition of starch

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a white odorless tasteless substance that is the chief form in which carbohydrates are stored in plants, is an important component of many foods (as rice and bread), and has various uses (as for stiffening clothes)

starch

verb

starched; starching

Kids Definition of starch (Entry 2 of 2)

: to stiffen with starch

starch

noun

\ ˈstärch

Medical Definition of starch

: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, has demulcent and absorbent properties, and is used in pharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes