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lactic acid
noun
: a hygroscopic organic acid C3H6O3 present normally especially in muscle tissue as a by-product of anaerobic glycolysis, produced in carbohydrate matter usually by bacterial fermentation, and used especially in food and medicine and in industry
Examples of lactic acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From a science-y standpoint, the most important part is that lactic acid from the feta finds its way into the brine.
—Sheela Prakash, Bon Appétit, 19 June 2024
Key Ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 June 2024
Enriched with hibiscus enzymes and lactic acid, the treatment instantly buffs dry skin, prepping the lips for hydration (locked-in by Brazilian açaí and African mongongo butters).
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 June 2024
Kristina Cooke, a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, says that Greek yogurt also has a heavy concentration of lactic acid, which is produced when the natural sugar found in milk (lactose) is fermented with bacteria.
—Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lactic acid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lactic acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1790, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lactic acid
Cite this Entry
“Lactic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactic%20acid. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Kids Definition
lactic acid
noun
lac·tic acid
ˌlak-tik-
: an organic acid present especially in muscle tissue as a result of the breakdown of carbohydrates (as glycogen), is made from carbohydrates usually by fermentation by bacteria, and is used especially in food and medicine
Medical Definition
lactic acid
noun
: a hygroscopic organic acid C3H6O3 that is known in three optically isomeric forms:
a
or D-lactic acid
: the dextrorotatory form present normally in blood and muscle tissue as a product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose and glycogen
b
or L-lactic acid
: the levorotatory form obtained by biological fermentation of sucrose
c
or DL-lactic acid
: the racemic form present in food products and made usually by bacterial fermentation (as of whey or raw sugar) but also synthetically, and used chiefly in foods and beverages, in medicine, in tanning and dyeing, and in making esters for use as solvents and plasticizers
More from Merriam-Webster on lactic acid
Nglish: Translation of lactic acid for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lactic acid
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