talc

noun

ˈtalk 

1

: a very soft mineral that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

2

: talcum powder

talcose

ˈtal-ˌkōs 

adjective

Examples of talc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her family claimed the company’s talc powder products were to blame. —Elizabeth Preston, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025

The family of Mae Moore, a California resident who died at age 88 in 2021, sued the company the same year, claiming J&J’s talc baby powder products contained asbestos fibers that caused her rare cancer. —Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025

This talc-free, barely-there miracle has quickly become my makeup MVP for keeping me looking good, even on the sweatiest, danciest, travel-heavy weekends—and here’s why. —Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025

Bar soaps contain talc and fatty acids that leave a residue on your shower’s surfaces that can be hard to remove. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French talk, from Medieval Latin talc, talcum, from Arabic ṭalq

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

talc

noun

ˈtalk 

: a very soft mineral that consists of a silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder

Medical Definition

talc

noun

ˈtalk 

: a very soft mineral Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ that is a basic silicate of magnesium, has a soapy feel, and is used especially in making talcum powder