acetate

American  

[as-i-teyt] / ˈæs ɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Chemistry. a salt or ester of acetic acid.

2. Also called acetate rayon.  a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose, differing from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures.

3. a sheet of clear plastic film fastened over the front of artwork for protection, as an overlay, or the like.

4. a slow-burning base material, cellulose triacetate, used for motion-picture film to minimize fire hazard during projection, and also for animation cells.

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acetate British  

/ ˈæsɪˌteɪt /

noun

1. Systematic name: ethanoate.  any salt or ester of acetic acid, containing the monovalent ion CH 3 COO ^– or the group CH 3 COO-

2. (modifier) consisting of, containing, or concerned with the group CH 3 COO-

   acetate group or radical

3. short for acetate rayon cellulose acetate

4. a sound recording disc composed of an acetate lacquer coating on an aluminium or plastic base: used for demonstration or other short-term purposes

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acetate Scientific  

/ ăs′ĭ-tāt′ /

1. A salt or ester of acetic acid. Salts of acetic acid contain a metal attached to the acetic acid radical CH ₃ COO. Esters contain another radical, such as ethyl, attached to the acetic acid radical.

2. Cellulose acetate or a product made from it, especially fibers or film.

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Other Word Forms

• acetated adjective

Etymology

Origin of acetate

First recorded in 1820–30; acet- + -ate ²

Example Sentences

During fermentation, the microbes release acidic by products including acetate and formate.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

The jewel-toned polygonal acetate lenses and thick, rounded frames make for the coolest everyday look as spring turns to summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2025

Local media reported that ethyl acetate, a highly flammable chemical compound, was found at the attack sites.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2025

Ethyl acetate and methylene chloride are two common solvents used to extract caffeine from green coffee beans.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2024

Written in grease pencil on the acetate surface of the chart were columns and rows of numbers—the numbers of American and enemy troops killed or wounded in battle.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin