suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat about the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton that yields tallow

Examples of suet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, display them loosely in a suet feeder where nesting birds can easily spot and gather them up. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Both suet and hummingbird nectar are very susceptible to spoiling from the heat. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Beef tallow — a dense fat derived from cow suet sometimes used in cooking and now skin care products — has become increasingly popular of late. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 7 May 2026

Beef tallow is rendered fat from cows, made from suet that surrounds the kidneys and other organs, according to UT MD Anderson. — Ryan Brennan may 5, Kansas City Star, 5 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sewet, from Anglo-French suet, siuet, from seu, su hard animal fat, from Latin sebum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat around the kidneys in beef and mutton from which tallow is made

Medical Definition

suet

noun

su·​et ˈsü-ət 

: the hard fat about the kidneys and loins in beef and mutton that yields tallow and that in prepared form is used in some pharmaceutical ointments