gum arabic

American  

noun

1. a water-soluble, gummy exudate obtained from the acacia tree, especially Acacia senegal, used as an emulsifier, an adhesive, in inks, and in pharmaceuticals.

---

gum arabic British  

noun

1. Also called: acacia.   gum acacia.  a gum exuded by certain acacia trees, esp Acacia senegal: used in the manufacture of ink, food thickeners, pills, emulsifiers, etc

---

gum arabic Scientific  

1. A gum exuded by various African trees of the genus Acacia, especially A. senegal. Gum arabic is used in the preparation of pills and emulsions, in the manufacture of adhesives and candies, and as a thickener and stabilizer of colloids. Gum arabic consists mostly of a mixture of oligosaccharides and heavy glycoproteins.

---

Etymology

Origin of gum arabic

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

It also imposed heavy taxes on trucks carrying gum arabic, sometimes reaching higher than $2,000.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026

The residues are sorted, ground and mixed with a maceration of gum arabic to facilitate ignition, and with clay to slow combustion.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

Color stabilizers like gum arabic and acetaldehyde are often used in red wine to preserve color.

From National Geographic • Jul. 20, 2023

"For companies like Pepsi and Coke, they can't exist without having gum arabic in their formulations," Dani Haddad, marketing and development director of Agrigum, a global top-ten supplier, said.

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2023

Vinegar, lemon juice, or a weak solution of tartaric acid, to be followed immediately with sweet-oil or mucilage of gum arabic, and an emetic.

From Health, Happiness, and Longevity Health without medicine: happiness without money: the result, longevity by McCarty, Louis Philippe