starched; starching; starches
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
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
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
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 July 2025
At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Source of resistant starch: Green bananas are a significant source of resistant starch, a fiber the digestive tract cannot break down.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for starch
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Verb
To fulfill the need for high protein, Del Bianco and her team are working to boost the protein content of the rice by increasing the ratio of protein-rich embryo to starch.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 9 July 2025
At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
Noun
The top grain-free cat foods contain carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, potato starch and green peas.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 25 June 2025
Source of resistant starch: Green bananas are a significant source of resistant starch, a fiber the digestive tract cannot break down.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for starch
Cite this Entry
“Starch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starch. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
starch
1 of 2 verb
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
starch
2 of 2 noun1
: a white odorless tasteless carbohydrate that is the chief form in which carbohydrate is stored in plants, is an important food, and is used also in adhesives, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
: a stiff formal manner : formality
3
Medical Definition
starch
noun
: 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
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