petrolatum

[ pe-truh-ley-tuhm, -lah- ]

/ ˌpɛ trəˈleɪ təm, -ˈlɑ- /

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noun

a yellowish or whitish, translucent, gelatinous, oily, semisolid, amorphous mass obtained from petroleum: used as a lubricant, rust preventive, in the manufacture of cosmetics, and in medicine as a protective dressing, emollient, and ointment base.

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Also called petroleum jelly.

Origin of petrolatum

1885–90, Americanism;<New Latin; see petroleum, -ate²

Words nearby petrolatum

Petrograd, petrogram, petrograph, petrography, petrol, petrolatum, petrol bomb, petrolene, petrol engine, petroleum, petroleum ether

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use petrolatum in a sentence

The formula is also free of phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, palm oil, and GMOs, and they’re cruelty-free so you don’t have to worry about what you’re putting on your skin.
Skip the Pricey Microdermabrasion Appointments and Use This Luxe Exfoliating Cream Instead|Erica Radol|April 4, 2022|The Daily Beast
Melt the petrolatum and add the tincture of cantharides, and while cooling add the other ingredients.
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians|William K. David
Melt the petrolatum and wax together and add the tannin while cooling; add the oils and stir until cold.
Secrets of Wise Men, Chemists and Great Physicians|William K. David
The absorbing medium is then treated with a solvent of the caffeol, and the solution is separated from the petrolatum.
All About Coffee|William H. Ukers

See that solids are thoroughly pulverized and sifted, then add and thoroughly incorporate oil and petrolatum.
Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889|Barkham Burroughs
This use of liquid petrolatum and of petrolatum products generally is by no means novel.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 1 of 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for petrolatum

petrolatum

/ (ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm) /

noun

a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressingAlso called: mineral jelly, petroleum jelly

Word Origin for petrolatum

C19: from petrol + Latin -atum -ate 1

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