linoleic acid

American  

Also linolic acid

noun

Chemistry.

1. an unsaturated fatty acid, C 18 H 32 O 2 , occurring as a glyceride in drying oils, as in linseed oil.

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linoleic acid British  

/ ˌlɪnəʊˈliːɪk /

noun

1. a colourless oily essential fatty acid found in many natural oils, such as linseed: used in the manufacture of soaps, emulsifiers, and driers. Formula: C 18 H 32 O 2

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linoleic acid Scientific  

/ lĭn′ə-lē′ĭk /

1. An unsaturated fatty acid that has two double bonds and is a nutrient essential for prostaglandin production in the human body. It is an important component of many vegetable oils, such as linseed, soybean, peanut, corn, and safflower oil, and is also found in meat and dairy products. Chemical formula: C ₁₈ H ₃₂ O ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of linoleic acid

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

linoleic acid

Researchers identified specific oxylipins created from linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, another fatty acid found in soybean oil.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 30, 2025

My scared-straight moment: A 2022 study at Wake Forest University showed that Alzheimer’s patients had linoleic acid blood levels that were 56 percent higher than people without cognitive impairment.

From New York Times ● Apr. 28, 2024

While all oils contain varying levels of fatty acids, some argue an excessive intake of a specific omega-6 fatty acid in seed oils called "linoleic acid" may contribute to inflammation in the body.

From Salon ● Feb. 21, 2024

One criticism of seed oils is that they’re too high in omega-6 fatty acids — especially linoleic acid — and this can cause inflammation in the body.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 6, 2023

The stream of hydrogen blown through the hot oil converts the linoleic acid to oleic and then the oleic into stearic.

From Creative Chemistry Descriptive of Recent Achievements in the Chemical Industries by Slosson, Edwin E.