paraffin
noun
par·af·fin
ˈper-ə-fən 
ˈpa-rə-
1
a
: a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
b
: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily
2
: alkane
3
chiefly British
: kerosene
Examples of paraffin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The German launch company is developing its rockets with hybrid technology, using solid paraffin (commonly known as candle wax) and liquid oxygen as fuel.
—
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 10 May 2024
In 1987, after three decades of using greasy paraffin lamps for light, the Genges finally saw their house connected to the power grid.
—Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
The set comes with two pieces, a 3-inch by 3-inch size and a 3-inch by 6-inch size, made with paraffin wax and wrapped up in one of four floral prints, including the earthy colors of menagerie and the cheerful colors of a garden party.
—Lauren Fischer, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2024
The candle’s premium-grade paraffin wax has a 100 percent natural wick fiber that gives off a clean, even burn that can last for up to 150 hours.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paraffin 
Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 10 May 2024
In 1987, after three decades of using greasy paraffin lamps for light, the Genges finally saw their house connected to the power grid.
—Ryan Lenora Brown, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 May 2024
The set comes with two pieces, a 3-inch by 3-inch size and a 3-inch by 6-inch size, made with paraffin wax and wrapped up in one of four floral prints, including the earthy colors of menagerie and the cheerful colors of a garden party.
—Lauren Fischer, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2024
The candle’s premium-grade paraffin wax has a 100 percent natural wick fiber that gives off a clean, even burn that can last for up to 150 hours.
—Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paraffin
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraffin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near paraffin
Cite this Entry
“Paraffin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraffin. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paraffin
noun
par·af·fin
ˈpar-ə-fən
: a flammable waxy substance obtained from wood, coal, or petroleum and used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, and in drugs and cosmetics
Medical Definition
paraffin
noun
par·af·fin
ˈpar-ə-fən
1
a
: a waxy crystalline flammable substance obtained especially from distillates of wood, coal, petroleum, or shale oil that is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and is used chiefly in coating and sealing, in candles, in rubber compounding, and in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
b
: any of various mixtures of similar hydrocarbons including mixtures that are semisolid or oily
2
: alkane
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