stearic acid

noun

stea·​ric acid stē-ˈa-rik- 

stē-ˈer-ik-, 

ˈstir-ik- 

: a white crystalline fatty acid C₁₈H₃₆O₂ obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin

also : a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids

Examples of stearic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This one features glycerin, stearic acid, and allantoin to help repair cracks and stubborn dry spots. — Mary Honkus, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026

Common additives and fillers in saffron capsule supplements include rice powder, silica, stearic acid and acacia gum. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Dove’s $10 (for a pack of 8) sensitive skin-safe bar soap does exactly that via glycerin, kaolin, and stearic acid. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 24 June 2026

The researchers also found that nanoscale confinement within the carbon pores increased the activation energy required for stearic acid to undergo phase change. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French stéarique, from Greek stear hard fat

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stearic acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

stearic acid

noun

stea·​ric acid stē-ˌar-ik-  ˌsti(ə)r-ik- 

: acid obtained by the hydrolysis of a hard fat (as tallow) with alkali

Medical Definition

stearic acid

noun

stea·​ric acid stē-ˌar-ik-  ˌsti(ə)r-ik- 

: a white crystalline fatty acid C₁₈H₃₆O₂ obtained by saponifying tallow or other hard fats containing stearin

also : a commercial mixture of stearic and palmitic acids