: any of various cyclic esters formed from hydroxy acids
Examples of lactone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The nose is a mixed-fruit basket with vanilla, citrus, gentle spice, chocolate and honey; the palate runs sweet and fruit-forward, soft spice giving way to vanilla and chocolate with wood lactones and a citrus lift; the finish is full-bodied, long and mouth-watering.
—
Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
American oak generally imparts sweeter, more intense vanilla, coconut, and caramel flavors due to higher levels of vanillin and lactones and the wood's looser grain structure.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
In other words, the oak lactones flee from the growing amount of water and have less and less surface area from which to contribute to the aroma.
—
Caroline Delbert,
Popular Mechanics,
6 May 2023
The semi-synthetic drug is classified as a macrocyclic lactone, a molecule made up of a ring of mostly carbon and oxygen atoms.
—
Miriam Fauzia,
USA TODAY,
12 Oct. 2021
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Paul Caputo,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
American oak generally imparts sweeter, more intense vanilla, coconut, and caramel flavors due to higher levels of vanillin and lactones and the wood's looser grain structure.
—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
In other words, the oak lactones flee from the growing amount of water and have less and less surface area from which to contribute to the aroma.
—
Caroline Delbert,
Popular Mechanics,
6 May 2023
The semi-synthetic drug is classified as a macrocyclic lactone, a molecule made up of a ring of mostly carbon and oxygen atoms.
—
Miriam Fauzia,
USA TODAY,
12 Oct. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Lactone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactone. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lactone
noun
lac·tone
ˈlak-ˌtōn 
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