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

It’s made from ethylene vinyl acetate (sometimes called EVA), which is a plush foam material that molds to the shape of your foot over time, providing support, comfort, and shock absorption in the process. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 5 July 2025

For the modern man who values quiet confidence, each frame is a study in balance, complete with organic curves and architectural precision, crafted in hand-finished acetate. —Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

And most crucially, perhaps, was my nose: bare, no longer horizontally bifurcated by a ridge of black acetate. —Alice Gregory, Vogue, 4 June 2025

The frame is crafted from premium acetate and features a trendy frame-in-frame design and a soft translucent hue. —Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acétate, from (acide) acétique acetic acid + -ate, -ate entry 1

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing acetate

• amyl acetate
• cellulose acetate
• ethyl acetate
• lead acetate
• medroxyprogesterone acetate
• methyl acetate
• polyvinyl acetate

Rhymes for acetate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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