turpentine

1 of 2

noun

tur·​pen·​tine ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn 

ˈtər-pᵊm-

1

a

: a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth

b

: an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)

2

a

: an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner

called also gum turpentine

b

: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood

called also wood turpentine

turpentine

2 of 2

verb

turpentined; turpentining

transitive verb

1

: to apply turpentine to

2

: to extract turpentine from

especially : to tap (pine trees) in order to obtain turpentine

Examples of turpentine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rosin bags are made from a sap that’s pulled from pine trees in Honduras, then boiled to distill out the turpentine. —Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2025

Includes a hefty dark aromatic slab of mushrooms, sage, boot black, turpentine and petrol. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025

The Gregory House comes alive with artisans, botanists, and historians demonstrating how to make cedar shingles, turpentine, and tallow candles, as well as discussing the rare flora and fauna at the park. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 19 Jan. 2025

While products like linseed oil or turpentine could help achieve this, Berrie suggests that mineral oil, or naphtha, was a game-changer thanks to its effectiveness in thinning paint and quickness to evaporate. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English terbentyne, turpentyne, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French terebentine, from Medieval Latin terbentina, from Latin terebinthina, feminine of terebinthinus of terebinth, from terebinthus terebinth, from Greek terebinthos

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1759, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing turpentine

• gum turpentine
• spirits of turpentine
• wood turpentine

Rhymes for turpentine

• acridine
• alkaline
• andesine
• anodyne
• anticline
• arginine
• asinine
• atropine
• benzidine
• borderline
• byzantine
• calamine

Kids Definition

turpentine

noun

tur·​pen·​tine

ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn

1

: a mixture of oil and resin obtained from pines and some related trees

2

: an oil made from turpentine and used especially as a solvent and paint thinner

Medical Definition

turpentine

noun

tur·​pen·​tine ˈtər-pən-ˌtīn, ˈtərp-ᵊm- 

1

a

: a yellow to brown semifluid oleoresin obtained as an exudate from the terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus) of the sumac family

b

: an oleoresin obtained from various conifers (as some pines and firs)

2

a

: an essential oil obtained from turpentines by distillation and used especially as a solvent and thinner

called also oil of turpentine

b

: a similar oil obtained by distillation or carbonization of pinewood

called also wood turpentine