tartaric acid

noun

tar·​tar·​ic acid (ˌ)tär-ˈter-ik- 

(ˌ)tär-ˈta-rik-

: a strong dicarboxylic acid C₄H₆O₆ of plant origin that occurs in various isomeric forms, is usually obtained from tartar, and is used especially in food and medicines, in photography, in wine making, and in making salts and esters

Examples of tartaric acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On top of that, tartaric acid gently exfoliates to clear pores and balance the skin’s pH level. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Apr. 2025

Researchers may have found that the tartaric acid in grapes and raisins is the substance which is harmful to dogs. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 10 Feb. 2025

At the beginning of the study, people were asked about their typical food and drink and were required to provide a urine sample used to measure tartaric acid — a chemical excreted in urine that is naturally found in grape products such as wine. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 17 Dec. 2024

Less than 2% of: acacia, beta-carotene, glycine, L-aspartic acid, natural flavors, orange juice concentrate, orange oil, silicon dioxide, tartaric acid, tocopherols How Effective Are the Ingredients? —Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tartaric acid

• antacid
• placid

Medical Definition

tartaric acid

noun

tar·​tar·​ic acid (ˌ)tär-ˌtar-ik- 

: a strong dicarboxylic acid C₄H₆O₆ of plant origin that occurs in three optically isomeric crystalline forms

especially : a dextrorotatory L-form of tartaric acid that is widely distributed in plants and especially in fruits (as grapes) both free and combined as salts and that is used chiefly in effervescent beverages and pharmaceutical preparations, in desserts and candies, in photography, in making salts and esters, and as a sequestering agent