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

Additionally, beef tallow, commonly used in soap-making, can be a lure for them. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 26 Apr. 2026

Customers can find ribs, jerky, steaks including marbled ribeye, filet mignon, briskets, roasts, ground beef and tallow. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2026

Restaurants from fine dining to fast food are giving beef tallow more than just a fat chance. —David Dickstein, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026

Boes’ hire comes as Steak n Shake has promoted changes to its menu, including cooking its fries in beef tallow rather than seed oils — a shift that aligns with a broader push among MAHA supporters for a return to traditional cooking fats. —Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 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