castoreum
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of castoreum
< Latin < Greek kastórion, equivalent to kastor- (stem of kástōr ) beaver + -ion, neuter of -ios adj. suffix
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain 400 years ago for their meat, furry water-resistant pelts and a substance they secrete called castoreum - used in food, medicine and perfume.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025
According to the 2022 book, castoreum can contain more than 75 different chemical compounds—an unusually high diversity.
From National Geographic • Nov. 15, 2023
While people have used castoreum for medicinal purposes and, yes, to flavor perfumes and foods since ancient times, today there’s almost nothing in the grocery store today that contains castoreum.
From National Geographic • Nov. 15, 2023
In total, the U.S. consumes less than 292 pounds a year of castoreum, castoreum extract, and castoreum liquid, according to the latest edition of Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients.
From National Geographic • Nov. 15, 2023
As with the castoreum of the beaver, see Mr. L.H.
From The Descent of Man by Darwin, Charles
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
