glycerol

noun

glyc·​er·​ol ˈgli-sə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce glycerol (audio) -ˌrōl How to pronounce glycerol (audio)
: a sweet syrupy hygroscopic trihydroxy alcohol C3H8O3 usually obtained by the saponification of fats

Examples of glycerol 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.
So, the researchers treated them with glycerol, which works as a softener. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Each fat molecule has three fatty acid chains that stick off like tines on a fork from a tiny glycerol molecule. — Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026 The researchers then soaked the material in glycerol—a syrupy compound that acts as a plasticizer, making the mycelium softer and more flexible without killing it. — Sam MacDonald, Scientific American, 24 July 2026 In a triglyceride, there are three fatty acids, each one connected to the same three-carbon glycerol molecule, which acts as the backbone of the molecule. — Rosemary Trout, The Conversation, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glycerol

Word History

Etymology

glycerin + -ol

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycerol was in 1880

Rhymes for glycerol

See All Rhymes for glycerol

Browse Nearby Words

glycerize
glycerol
glycerolate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Glycerol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycerol. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

glycerol

noun
glyc·​er·​ol ˈglis-ə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce glycerol (audio)
-ˌrōl
: a sweet colorless syrupy alcohol usually obtained from fats and oils

Medical Definition

glycerol

noun
glyc·​er·​ol ˈglis-ə-ˌrȯl How to pronounce glycerol (audio) -ˌrōl How to pronounce glycerol (audio)
: a sweet syrupy hygroscopic trihydroxy alcohol C3H8O3 usually obtained by the saponification of fats and used especially as a solvent and plasticizer, as a moistening agent, emollient, and lubricant, and as an emulsifying agent

called also glycerin

More from Merriam-Webster on glycerol

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycerol

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