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

Johnson & Johnson — Shares slipped 8% after a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected the company’s $10 billion settlement proposal tied to lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products caused ovarian cancer. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2025

Johnson & Johnson shares fell 7.58% after a U.S. bankruptcy judge rejected the company's $10 billion proposal to end tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc products cause ovarian cancer. —Medora Lee, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025

Replacing a base ingredient like talc is one of the hardest things to do when reformulating. —Lindy Segal, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2025

The filing was the result of a mounting pile of debt following lawsuits claiming that its talc products caused cancer. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 25 Feb. 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