starched; starching; starches
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
1
: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
: a stiff formal manner : formality
3
: resolute vigor
Synonyms
Examples of starch in a Sentence
Verb
He starches the collars of his shirts.
Noun
a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks.
—Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
Key ingredients: coconut oil, elderberry extract, magnesium hydroxide, potato starch | Aluminum-free: yes | Scent: 4 scent options (Sandstone, Glossier You, Orange Blossom Neroli, Unscented)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are antiperspirants?
—Sarah Madaus, Allure, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starch 
Verb
At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks.
—Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Noun
Dent corn is fractionated into its various elements (starch, protein/germ, oil and moisture).
—WWD, 16 Oct. 2024
Key ingredients: coconut oil, elderberry extract, magnesium hydroxide, potato starch | Aluminum-free: yes | Scent: 4 scent options (Sandstone, Glossier You, Orange Blossom Neroli, Unscented)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are antiperspirants?
—Sarah Madaus, Allure, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starch
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'starch.' 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 starch
Cite this Entry
“Starch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starch. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
starch
1 of 2 verb
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
starch
2 of 2 noun1
: a white odorless tasteless carbohydrate that is the chief form in which carbohydrate is stored in plants, is an important food, and is used also in adhesives, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
: a stiff formal manner : formality
3
Medical Definition
starch
noun
: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, has demulcent and absorbent properties, and is used in pharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes
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