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

This is further reflected in Kennedy's criticisms of seed oils in favor of beef tallow, an old-fashioned fat that has been making a comeback. —Tania Fabo, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026

Add a single tablespoon of butter (7 grams) or beef tallow (6 grams), and the person has surpassed their daily 10% limit of saturated fat. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 20 Jan. 2026

To that end, the potato chips fried in beef tallow (the only side option) have a parallel greasiness and didn’t much appeal. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026

The new happy hour deal at NADC Burger is $18 for a double-wagyu patty smashburger served with a side of beef tallow fries. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2026

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