talc

noun

1
: a very soft mineral that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder
2
talcose adjective

Examples of talc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Johnson &Johnson has said its talc products don’t contain asbestos and has denied any wrongdoing. Suryatapa Bhattacharya, WSJ, 13 July 2023 The company has long denied claims that its products containing talc — a mineral used to absorb moisture — cause cancer. Bryan Pietsch, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023 Before the bankruptcy, Johnson & Johnson, which says its talc products are safe, faced $3.5 billion in verdicts and settlements over its talc products, including baby powder. Harold Maass, The Week, 31 Jan. 2023 Judge Michael Kaplan of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey said in his ruling Tuesday that the board of directors of former talc supplier Whittaker, Clark & Daniels had the authority to place the company under chapter 11 protection in April. Akiko Matsuda, WSJ, 21 June 2023 Soapstone that has a higher talc content will be less expensive due to its softer nature. Kate McGregor, House Beautiful, 28 Apr. 2023 The company also has suffered reputational harm tied to the talc findings. Steven Church, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2023 Zimbabwe banned the importation of Johnson & Johnson baby powder with immediate effect, saying the talc used in the product is highly toxic. Godfrey Marawanyika, Bloomberg.com, 3 June 2023 This all begs the question: Is talc still important to avoid? Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 31 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'talc.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French talk, from Medieval Latin talc, talcum, from Arabic ṭalq

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of talc was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near talc

Cite this Entry

“Talc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talc. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

talc

noun
: a very soft mineral that consists of a silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

Medical Definition

talc

noun
: a very soft mineral Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

More from Merriam-Webster on talc

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!