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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of gum arabic

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

To combat smuggling, industry leaders such as the French firms Nexira and Alland & Robert say they buy only gum arabic certified by the Sudanese government in Port Sudan.

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

Alwaleed Ali, who owns AGP Innovations Co Ltd, a gum arabic exporting business, said his customers are looking for alternative countries to source gum arabic.

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2023

Mucilages are soft, bland substances, made by dissolving gum arabic in hot water; or by boiling marshmallows, slippery elm, or lily roots, until their mucilaginous properties are extracted.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by Dadd, George