mineral oil

noun

: an oil of mineral origin

especially : a refined petroleum oil used especially as a laxative

Examples of mineral oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Prevent corn earworms by depositing a little mineral oil in the silks five days after silks appear and begin to turn brown. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 25 May 2024

The bullet pierced the cooling fins of the transformer, as intended, causing mineral oil to gush onto the sagebrush. —Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mineral oil

noun

: an oil (as petroleum) of mineral origin

especially : a purified petroleum oil having no color, odor, or taste that is used especially as a laxative

Medical Definition

mineral oil

noun

1

: a liquid product of mineral origin that has the viscosity of an oil

2

: a transparent oily liquid obtained usually by distilling petroleum and used chiefly in medicine for treating constipation and especially formerly as a demulcent and solvent for nose and throat medication

called also liquid petrolatum, white mineral oil