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

Rather than beginning with a broad licensing proposition, the company turned to Japan, long associated with precision frame production and specialist acetate craftsmanship. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 22 July 2026

While the designer style uses an acetate-blend satin, the lookalike is made of 100 percent mulberry silk, a natural fiber known for its soft, smooth feel. — Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

The main types of short chain fatty acids are acetate, propionate and butyrate. — Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

Traditional midsoles were made of ethylene-vinyl acetate and could be higher, to provide more cushioning, or lower, to save weight. — Scott Douglas, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

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
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate
• annotate

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