starch

1 of 2

verb

starched; starching; starches

transitive verb

: to stiffen with or as if with starch

starch

2 of 2

noun

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Verb
At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024 The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks. Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Noun
Unlike wine grapes, rice needs to convert its starch into sugar before starting fermentation. Akiko Katayama, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 This type of starch acts as fuel for good gut bacteria. Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for starch 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English sterchen, probably from Old English *stercan to stiffen; akin to Old English stearc stiff — more at stark

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of starch was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near starch

Cite this Entry

“Starch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starch. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

starch

1 of 2 verb
: to stiffen with or as if with starch

starch

2 of 2 noun
1
: 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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