saccharin

American  

[sak-er-in] / ˈsæk ər ɪn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble powder, C 7 H 5 NO 3 S, produced synthetically, which in dilute solution is 500 times as sweet as sugar: its soluble sodium salt is used as a noncaloric sugar substitute in the manufacture of syrups, foods, and beverages.

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saccharin British  

/ ˈsækərɪn /

noun

1. a very sweet white crystalline slightly soluble powder used as a nonfattening sweetener. Formula: C 7 H 5 NO 3 S

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saccharin Scientific  

/ săk′ər-ĭn /

1. A white, crystalline powder used as a calorie-free sweetener. It tastes about 500 times sweeter than sugar. Saccharin is made from a compound of toluene, which is derived from petroleum. Chemical formula: C ₇ H ₅ NO ₃ S.

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Other Word Forms

• nonsaccharin adjective

Etymology

Origin of saccharin

First recorded in 1875–80; sacchar- + -in ²

Example Sentences

From early sweeteners like saccharin in the 19th century to modern alternatives such as stevia and monk fruit, the goal has remained the same.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

Once linked to bladder cancer in rats, Congress mandated further study of saccharin.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2023

Aspartame, for example, is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and costs more than saccharin, roughly the same as sucralose and less than stevia, a sweetener industry source said.

From Reuters • Jun. 29, 2023

The frequency of cancer in nonsugar sweetener consumers was very low in general, though saccharin, an FDA-approved sweetener found in many food products, was associated with a bladder cancer.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2023

The page was crowded with thousands of comments and videos of Nicole, her pageant appearances, student council speeches, tennis matches, mash-up tributes cut to saccharin music.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin

Related Words

• carbohydrate