acetate
noun
ac·e·tate
ˈa-sə-ˌtāt 
1
: a salt or ester of acetic acid
2
: cellulose acetate
also
: something (such as a textile fiber) made from cellulose acetate
3
: a phonograph recording disk made of an acetate or coated with cellulose acetate
Examples of acetate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These included sulfites, potassium sorbate, potassium nitrate, acetates, acetic acid, and sodium erythorbate.
—
Jamie Ducharme, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Fabrics like silk, acetate, clothes with elastic, and more are not suited for vinegar and should be tested with a small amount at first or not used at all.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026
Work towards finding kids' frames that are lightweight and flexible, such as TR90 or acetate.
—Matthew Kayser, Ascend Agency, 19 Dec. 2025
Other examples include iron oxides — which add color to makeup and are sun- and blue light-protective — and tocopheryl acetate, a synthetic form of vitamin E that protects skin from free radicals.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Acetate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetate. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
acetate
noun
ac·e·tate
ˈas-ə-ˌtāt
1
: a chemical compound formed by the reaction of acetic acid with another substance
2
: something made from acetate or from cellulose and acetate combined
Medical Definition
acetate
noun
ac·e·tate
ˈas-ə-ˌtāt
: a salt or ester of acetic acid
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