tannic acid

noun

: tannin sense 1

Examples of tannic acid in a Sentence

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.
There are theories about that too, the most prominent of which relates to the higher level of tannic acid present in red oak acorns. — Colin Moore, Outdoor Life, 2 Sep. 2026 Abdominal Pain and Nausea An analysis combined the results of three studies on tannic acid suspension in a gelatin solution to treat diarrhea in children. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 20 Apr. 2026 To solve this, the researchers wrapped each nanosheet in a protective layer made from tannic acid and iron ions. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026 The St Johns is a black water river due to the high tannic acid content from water flowing out of its swamps and wetlands. — Quiton White, Florida Times-Union, 3 Mar. 2026 Distilled water was slowly poured in the sand bed, carrying off the brownish tannic acids. — Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025 The structures were grown in a saline solution, and were composed of tannic acid and copper phosphate. — Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2025 By mixing iron sulfate with tannic acid (which Little derives from cooking the plant sumac), the ink gets its deep shade, which darkens on the paper’s surface once exposed to oxygen. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tannic acid was in 1836

Rhymes for tannic acid

See All Rhymes for tannic acid

Browse Nearby Words

tannic
tannic acid
tannide
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tannic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tannic%20acid. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

tannic acid

noun
tan·​nic acid
ˌtan-ik-
: tannin

Medical Definition

tannic acid

noun
tan·​nic acid ˌtan-ik- How to pronounce tannic acid (audio)
1
: a tannin occurring especially in extracts from nutgalls and yielding gallic acid on hydrolysis

called also digallic acid, gallotannic acid, gallotannin

2
: tannin sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on tannic acid

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tannic acid

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All