saccharin

[ sak-er-in ]

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.

saccharin

/ ˈsækərɪn /

noun

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

saccharin

/ 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.

Other Words From

• non·saccha·rin adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of saccharin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of saccharin¹

C19: from saccharo- + -in

Example Sentences

Ninety-four percent of the rats preferred the saccharin.

From Salon

The safety of sugar replacements, including the decades-old science dispute over the use of saccharin in the diet drink Tab, has been heavily scrutinized.

From New York Times

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

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

Some examples of the sweeteners include aspartame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia.

From New York Times

Related Words

• carbohydrate