petrolatum

American  

[pe-truh-ley-tuhm, -lah-] / ˌpɛ trəˈleɪ təm, -ˈlɑ- /

noun

1. 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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petrolatum British  

/ ˌpɛtrəˈleɪtəm /

noun

1. Also called: mineral jelly.   petroleum jelly.  a translucent gelatinous substance obtained from petroleum; used as a lubricant and in medicine as an ointment base and protective dressing

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Etymology

Origin of petrolatum

1885–90, < New Latin; see petroleum, -ate ²

Compare meaning

How does petrolatum compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• petrolatum vs. petroleum

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

petrolatum

Applying a thick layer of lip balm with moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum or shea butter before bedtime will also nourish your lips and prevent chapping, Rogers said.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 5, 2024

It’s 41 percent petrolatum, with a bunch of other ingredients mixed in whose names also mean nothing to me.

From Slate ● Mar. 22, 2021

Maybe along the lines of Smith’s Rosebud Salve, another luxury petrolatum product that, for $7 and not much more product than the Glossier stuff, is at least sold in a tin.

From Slate ● Feb. 9, 2019

Sweet Sweat, it turns out, is a holistic “workout enhancer” that stimulates perspiration and circulation with a mix of White Snow petrolatum, Brazilian Carnauba wax, Acai pulp, and pomegranate, jojoba, and virgin Camelina oils.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 18, 2018

As employed usually it is prescribed in ointment form, either as the official tar ointment, full strength or weakened with lard or petrolatum.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Henry Weightman Stelwagon