acetate

American  

[as-i-teyt] / ˈæs ɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of acetic acid.

2. Also called acetate rayon.  a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose, differing from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures.

3. a sheet of clear plastic film fastened over the front of artwork for protection, as an overlay, or the like.

4. a slow-burning base material, cellulose triacetate, used for motion-picture film to minimize fire hazard during projection, and also for animation cells.

---

acetate British  

/ ˈæsɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Systematic name: ethanoate.  any salt or ester of acetic acid, containing the monovalent ion CH 3 COO ^– or the group CH 3 COO-

2. (modifier) consisting of, containing, or concerned with the group CH 3 COO-

   acetate group or radical

3. short for acetate rayon cellulose acetate

4. a sound recording disc composed of an acetate lacquer coating on an aluminium or plastic base: used for demonstration or other short-term purposes

---

acetate Scientific  

/ ăs′ĭ-tāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of acetic acid. Salts of acetic acid contain a metal attached to the acetic acid radical CH ₃ COO. Esters contain another radical, such as ethyl, attached to the acetic acid radical.

2. Cellulose acetate or a product made from it, especially fibers or film.

---

Other Word Forms

• acetated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetate

First recorded in 1820–30; acet- + -ate ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acetate

Cellulose acetate, from which the clips are made, comes from cellulose sourced from wood pulp or cotton.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

During fermentation, the microbes release acidic by products including acetate and formate.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 13, 2026

The researchers also determined the crystal structure of a newly discovered dual sensor that responds to both uracil and acetate.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2026

Iovine then arrived with an acetate copy of the album from the master recording.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2025

Written in grease pencil on the acetate surface of the chart were columns and rows of numbers—the numbers of American and enemy troops killed or wounded in battle.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin