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

There is nothing added to the tallow at any point during the process and the canister is pressurized simply with air. —Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 May 2025

Beef Tallow Beef tallow is made by separating fat from meat and purifying it. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 30 Apr. 2025

Similar to what refined oils go through, the tallow may need neutralization — a chemical refining process usually involving an alkaline solution that’s basically baking powder, which separates free fatty acids from the tallow. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

The tallow used in food is produced by rendering, or melting down, this fatty tissue. —Perri Ormont Blumberg, TIME, 19 Mar. 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