tallow

1 of 2

noun

tal·​low ˈta-(ˌ)lō 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

tallowy

ˈta-lə-wē 

adjective

tallow

2 of 2

verb

tallowed; tallowing; tallows

transitive verb

: to grease or smear with tallow

Examples of tallow in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Like other animal fats, tallow contains vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, D, K, E, and B12. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Dec. 2024

From an environmental and ethical standpoint, consuming or using tallow comes with the baggage of the beef industry, which is responsible for 3.7 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions nationally, per the United States Department of Agriculture. —Kayla Blanton, Outside Online, 24 Dec. 2024

Heat the tallow in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 14 Dec. 2024

The tallow also has a faintly fatty, beefy scent, which isn’t the most appealing to be around. —Daisy Jones, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English talgh, talow; akin to Middle Dutch talch tallow

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low

ˈtal-ō

: the solid fat of cattle and sheep used chiefly in soap, candles, and lubricants

Medical Definition

tallow

noun

tal·​low ˈtal-(ˌ)ō, -ə(-w) 

: the white nearly tasteless solid rendered fat of cattle and sheep which is used chiefly in soap, margarine, candles, and lubricants and of which the form obtained from domestic sheep (Ovis aries) is used in pharmacy in ointments and cerates