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olestra

American  
[oh-les-truh] / oʊˈlɛs trə /

noun

  1. a synthetic oil used as a substitute for dietary fat: not digested or absorbed by the human body.


Etymology

Origin of olestra

1990–95; ol- (< Latin oleum oil) + -estra, alteration of (poly)ester

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:

Remember olestra, the Paleo diet and celery juice?

From New York Times Dec. 28, 2023

Michael Keaton was played onstage by the olestra to the tune of TV’s “Batman.”

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 3, 2016

He approved olestra, a fat substitute that can cause diarrhea and cramps, and BST, a hormone injected into cows to increase milk production--arguing in both cases that his decision was based on sound science.

From Time Magazine Archive

Whether olestra is needed isn't the FDA's concern, however.

From Time Magazine Archive

And unlike any of the half a dozen or so fat substitutes currently available, olestra doesn't break down when it's used for frying.

From Time Magazine Archive

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