BHA

1 of 2

noun

ˌbē-(ˌ)āch-ˈā

plural BHAs

: a phenolic antioxidant C₁₁H₁₆O₂ used especially to preserve fats and oils in food

BHA

2 of 2

abbreviation or noun

plural BHAs

: beta hydroxy acid

… BHAs or a combination of AHAs and BHAs are best for the breakout-prone.—Valerie Monroe

Examples of BHA in a Sentence

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Abbreviation or noun

The best ones contained physical exfoliants as well as chemical exfoliants (like AHA, BHA, or PHA) to slough away dead skin cells, and also featured nourishing ingredients to keep the skin hydrated (like jojoba oil, squalane, and shea butter). — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026 The Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Exfoliant is one of the most viral face exfoliators out there—and for good reason. — Anna Traver, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026 The fine was lowered to 1%, or $3,630, to reflect BHA’s financial condition. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026 That mapping tool from BHA allows the public to report problem corners — both to alert potential users and to help identify locations for potential fixes. — Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for BHA

Word History

Etymology

Noun

butylated hydroxyanisole

First Known Use

Noun

1948, in the meaning defined above

Abbreviation Or Noun

1995, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of BHA was in 1948

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

BHA

bhabar

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Cite this Entry

Style

“BHA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/BHA. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

BHA

1 of 2 noun

ˌbē-ˌāch-ˈā

: a phenolic antioxidant C₁₁H₁₆O₂ used especially to preserve fats and oils in food

called also butylated hydroxyanisole

BHA

2 of 2 abbreviation or noun

: beta hydroxy acid

BHA

noun

abbreviation or noun

Examples of BHA in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition

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