glycerol

American  

[glis-uh-rawl, -rol] / ˈglɪs əˌrɔl, -ˌrɒl /

noun

1. a colorless, odorless, syrupy, sweet liquid, C 3 H 8 O 3 , usually obtained by the saponification of natural fats and oils: used for sweetening and preserving food, in the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, inks, and certain glues and cements, as a solvent and automobile antifreeze, and in medicine in suppositories and skin emollients.

---

glycerol British  

/ ˈɡlɪsəˌrɒl /

noun

1. Also called (not in technical usage): glycerine, glycerin. a colourless or pale yellow odourless sweet-tasting syrupy liquid; 1,2,3-propanetriol: a by-product of soap manufacture, used as a solvent, antifreeze, plasticizer, and sweetener ( E422 ). Formula: C 3 H 8 O 3

---

glycerol Scientific  

/ glĭs′ə-rôl′ /

1. A sweet, syrupy liquid obtained from animal fats and oils or by the fermentation of glucose. It is used as a solvent, sweetener, and antifreeze and in making explosives and soaps. Glycerol consists of a propane molecule attached to three hydroxyl (OH) groups. Also called glycerin, glycerine. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₈ O ₃ .

---

Etymology

Origin of glycerol

First recorded in 1880–85; glycer(in) + -ol ¹

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

glycerol

Instead, the researchers detected increased release of glycerol outside the cells, which is an important sign that stored fat is being broken down.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

"Our group's investigations had already revealed that bacteria can use uranium dissolved in water for their metabolism when they have access to glycerol as a food source."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

With conditions suitable for bacterial growth, the microorganisms began using glycerol as a food source.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 9, 2026

If it's a dry cough then choosing balsams or sickly-sweet syrup-based soothing agents like glycerol, can help "coat your throat" and protect against the dryness, says Prof Smith.

From BBC ● Dec. 3, 2025

The British procedure called for the use of 10 percent glycerol in the final mixture of semen and extender prior to freezing.

From Preservation of Bull Semen at Sub-Zero Temperatures by M. E. Friedman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---