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cream of tartar

American  

noun

  1. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C 4 H 5 KO 6 , used chiefly as an ingredient in baking powders and in galvanic tinning of metals.


cream of tartar British  

noun

  1. another name for potassium hydrogen tartrate, esp when used in baking powders

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cream of tartar

First recorded in 1655–65

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.

See Examples For:

Add flour and mix well together, adding remainder of milk as required – also bicarbonate and cream of tartar.

From BBC Feb. 28, 2025

Use a stand mixer with a whisk attachment to beat the egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed for 30 to 45 seconds until combined.

From Washington Times May 16, 2023

Per McGee, before beating, you can add 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar or 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice per egg white to ensure stability.

From Washington Post Oct. 17, 2022

They're made with just five ingredients—egg whites, vanilla extract, cream of tartar, superfine sugar, and cocoa powder.

From Salon Apr. 13, 2022

She ask about hard water stains and I tell her cream of tartar.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

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