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

The Make America Healthy Again movement, for which Kennedy is the de facto leader, promotes a diet heavy in meat and animal products, such as butter, beef tallow and raw milk.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Some restaurants and food brands are switching to tallow, and retailers are adding new products to shelves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026

Periodically the owners killed the cattle for their hides and tallow and left the meat to the vultures and coyotes.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck