adipic acid

noun

adip·​ic acid ə-ˈdi-pik- How to pronounce adipic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid C6H10O4 formed by oxidation of various fats and also made synthetically for use especially in the manufacture of nylon

Examples of adipic 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.
They are then turned into a mixture of adipic acid, a precursor to nylon. Laine Welch | Fish Factor, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French (acide) adipique, from Latin adip-, adeps "fat" + French -ique -ic entry 1 — more at adip-

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adipic acid was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near adipic acid

Cite this Entry

“Adipic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adipic%20acid. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

adipic acid

noun
adip·​ic acid ə-ˈdip-ik- How to pronounce adipic acid (audio)
: a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid C6H10O4 formed by oxidation of various fats and also made synthetically for use especially in the manufacture of nylon

More from Merriam-Webster on adipic acid

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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