saponify

verb

sa·pon·i·fy sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī

saponified; saponifying

transitive verb

: to convert (something, such as fat) into soap

specifically : to hydrolyze (a fat) with alkali to form a soap and glycerol

intransitive verb

: to undergo saponifying

saponifiable

sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī-ə-bəl

adjective

saponifier

sə-ˈpä-nə-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

Examples of saponify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Although rare to find, cerebral tissues found in archaeological discoveries have saponified, the process by which triglycerides turn into glycerol and fatty acid salts, or soap. —

Fox News, 24 Jan. 2020 Beauty products include deodorant cream made with local California sagebrush and arrowroot, as well as the cleansing version of your favorite latte: a golden milk soap saponified with raw goat milk, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger. —

Dakota Kim, Sunset Magazine, 10 Feb. 2020 Made out of a formula that was discovered loosely placed in an old New England Cookbook, this all-natural shampoo bar is made of just three ingredients: saponified olive oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. —

Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2020