glycerol

[ glis-uh-rawl, -rol ]

noun

1. a colorless, odorless, syrupy, sweet liquid, C 3 H 8 O 3 , usually obtained by the saponification of natural fats and oils: used for sweetening and preserving food, in the manufacture of cosmetics, perfumes, inks, and certain glues and cements, as a solvent and automobile antifreeze, and in medicine in suppositories and skin emollients.

glycerol

/ ˈɡlɪsəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a colourless or pale yellow odourless sweet-tasting syrupy liquid; 1,2,3-propanetriol: a by-product of soap manufacture, used as a solvent, antifreeze, plasticizer, and sweetener ( E422 ). Formula: C 3 H 8 O 3 Also called (not in technical usage)glycerineglycerin

glycerol

/ glĭs′ə-rôl′ /

1. A sweet, syrupy liquid obtained from animal fats and oils or by the fermentation of glucose. It is used as a solvent, sweetener, and antifreeze and in making explosives and soaps. Glycerol consists of a propane molecule attached to three hydroxyl (OH) groups. Also called glycerin, glycerine. Chemical formula: C 3 H 8 O 3 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of glycerol¹

First recorded in 1880–85; glycer(in) + -ol ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of glycerol¹

C19: from glycer ( ine ) + -ol ¹

Example Sentences

The Food Standards Agency advises drinks with glycerol are not suitable for children under age four – but it is not mandatory for companies to print this on food labels.

From BBC

There have been two other cases of children being hospitalised in Scotland because of glycerol intoxication as far as the FSA is aware – one in 2021 and one in 2022.

From BBC

Her mother Carys, from Stranraer, said doctors believed this was caused by glycerol, a chemical compound used in slushy drinks as it prevent liquids from freezing solid.

From BBC

He’d spoken to the poison unit and found that glycerol wasn’t for under fours.”

From BBC

Arla had to be rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, where medical staff also told the family that glycerol in the Slush Puppie was the likely cause of her condition.

From BBC