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

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

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

It’s a less specialized, not-as-portable way to tackle the problem, but Joshua Zeichner, dermatologist at Mount Sinai, recommends something as simple as a lotion with skin-protecting ingredients like triple-purified petrolatum.

From Slate • Aug. 30, 2018

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

A "Paste" Metal Polish for Cleaning and Polishing Brass.—Oxalic acid 1 part, iron peroxide 15 parts, powdered rottenstone 20 parts, palm oil 60 parts, petrolatum 4 parts.

From Burroughs' Encyclopaedia of Astounding Facts and Useful Information, 1889 by Burroughs, Barkham