olive oil

noun

: a pale yellow to yellowish-green nondrying oil that is obtained from olives, is high in monounsaturated fat, and is used chiefly as a salad oil and in cooking

Examples of olive oil in a Sentence

a teaspoon of olive oil
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shea and mango butters, along with olive oil, work in tandem to soften, nourish, and condition the skin beneath all that coverage, preventing the tight, dry feeling that heavier matte compositions can leave behind. Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026 Then the big finish, drizzling in the olive oil like a chef would. Victoria Spencer, Martha Stewart, 13 June 2026 White Whale Dirty Martini At White Whale in Las Vegas, the White Whale Dirty Martini is a spirit-forward martini enhanced with a robust, unfiltered olive oil fat wash. Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 Not only does the brand’s shampoo and conditioner make my hair feel so clean and look so shiny, but both formulas are also jam-packed with strengthening ingredients—avocado oil, olive oil, milk thistle, and growth-stimulating rosemary—that make the combo genuinely feel like a worthwhile luxury. Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for olive oil

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of olive oil was in 1566

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Cite this Entry

“Olive oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/olive%20oil. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

olive oil

noun
: a pale yellow to yellowish green oil obtained from the pulp of olives and used especially as a salad oil, in cooking, and in soaps

Medical Definition

olive oil

noun
: a pale yellow to yellowish green edible oil obtained from the pulp of olives that is high in monounsaturated fatty acids and is used chiefly as a salad oil and in cooking, in toilet soaps, and as an emollient

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