shea butter

American  

noun

shea butters plural

1. a solid, greenish, yellowish, or whitish fat derived from the seeds of the shea tree, used for food and in the manufacture of soaps and candles.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• shea butters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of shea butter

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

shea butter

Harvested fruit from shea nut trees have to be crushed, roasted and boiled to extract their oil to produce the shea butter used in cosmetics.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2025

The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends lip balms that contain ceramides, hemp seed oil, dimethicone, mineral oil and shea butter.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 5, 2024

Video and photography by international artists filled the industrial space, together presenting a portrait of the region, considering the production of shea butter, Dagomba rituals and Tamale’s middle class, among other subjects.

From New York Times ● Feb. 5, 2024

TJ’s Brazil Nut Body Butter contains an array of impressive ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, açai extract, guarana extract and Brazil nut seed oil.

From Salon ● Jan. 25, 2024

Late the next morning, Jam was twisting her hair in her bedroom, smearing whipped shea butter on her palms and applying it in sections while soca music played over her speakers.

From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi