tallow

1 of 2

noun

tal·​low ˈta-(ˌ)lō 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

tallowy

ˈta-lə-wē 

adjective

tallow

2 of 2

verb

tallowed; tallowing; tallows

transitive verb

: to grease or smear with tallow

Examples of tallow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Steak ‘n Shake announced in January that by the end of February, all locations would end the use of vegetable oil and switch to 100% all-natural beef tallow for its fries, onion rings and chicken tenders. —Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 10 Oct. 2025

New Fats On The Block Like ghee before it, beef tallow is having a moment in the fat spotlight. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Oct. 2025

So, cue the sound of sizzling beef tallow and check out what might be in store. —Will Stone, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025

The restaurant’s lids at the garbage dumpsters and tallow bin were open at the time of inspection. —Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English talgh, talow; akin to Middle Dutch talch tallow

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tallow

• callow
• hallo
• hallow
• mallow
• palo
• sallow
• shallow
• caballo
• cavallo

Kids Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low

ˈtal-ō

: the solid fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

Medical Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low ˈtal-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep which is used chiefly in soap, margarine, candles, and lubricants and of which the form obtained from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is used in pharmacy in ointments and cerates