tallow

American  

[tal-oh] / ˈtæl oʊ /

noun

1. the fatty tissue or suet of animals.

2. the harder fat of sheep, cattle, etc., separated by melting from the fibrous and membranous matter naturally mixed with it, and used to make candles, soap, etc.

3. any of various similar fatty substances.

   vegetable tallow.

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verb (used with object)

1. to smear with tallow.

tallow British  

/ ˈtæləʊ /

noun

1. a fatty substance consisting of a mixture of glycerides, including stearic, palmitic, and oleic acids and extracted chiefly from the suet of sheep and cattle: used for making soap, candles, food, etc

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verb

1. (tr) to cover or smear with tallow

Other Word Forms

• tallowy adjective
• untallowed adjective

Etymology

Origin of tallow

1300–50; Middle English talow, talgh; cognate with German Talg

Explanation

In the old days, candles were mostly made from tallow, a form of animal fat that provided an inexpensive way for people to light their homes at night. Tallow is rendered animal fat, most often from beef or mutton. It's similar to suet or lard, other forms of animal fat, and has been useful in various ways through the years because it doesn't go bad at room temperature, stays solid, and is cheap. Today it's most commonly used for soap making or animal feed, though it can also be used in making biodiesel fuel.

Example Sentences

“Give me beef tallow and six raw eggs, too.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

They mark a departure from earlier federal dietary advice—for instance, recommending full-fat dairy foods and cooking with butter and beef tallow.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

Full-fat dairy is encouraged, while butter and beef tallow are viewed as acceptable.

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

One reason is the perceived naturalness of foods from cows, including collagen and beef tallow.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2025

Two fat tallow candles gave a meagre, flickering light.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin