acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈa-sə-ˌtāt 

1

: a salt or ester of acetic acid

2

: cellulose acetate

also : something (such as a textile fiber) made from cellulose acetate

3

: a phonograph recording disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate

Examples of acetate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2020, the team showed that chemicals found in these vents, such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen, along with nickel and iron minerals common at these sites, could combine to create formate, acetate, and pyruvate. — Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 11 Nov. 2026

No one is going to notice a boring man in chunky acetate frames. — Tyler Watamanuk, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2026

Betty Carol for Mam’selle; Avisco acetate and rayon (Bloomsberg Fabrics). — Richard Avedon, Vogue, 10 Nov. 2026

The unisex glasses have an easy-to-wear acetate design, with metal rivets and the brand’s timeless, iconic logo. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétate, from (acide) acétique acetic acid + -ate, -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing acetate

• amyl acetate
• cellulose acetate
• ethyl acetate
• lead acetate
• medroxyprogesterone acetate
• methyl acetate
• polyvinyl acetate

Rhymes for acetate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate
• annotate

Kids Definition

acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt 

1

: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of acetic acid with another substance

2

: something made from acetate or from cellulose and acetate combined

Medical Definition

acetate

noun

ac·​e·​tate ˈas-ə-ˌtāt 

: a salt or ester of acetic acid