castor oil

noun

: a pale viscous fatty oil from castor beans used especially as a cathartic and as a lubricant and plasticizer

Examples of castor oil in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some people may try natural remedies, like castor oil, to help manage symptoms alongside standard medical treatments.23 There’s limited research exploring the effectiveness of castor oil for psoriasis. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025

Opting for hexane-free castor oil ensures that the product remains pure and safe for use on skin and hair. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024

Along with rosemary, its ingredients include tea tree oil (which targets dandruff), moisturizing castor oil, and the calming antioxidant bisabolol. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 18 Sep. 2024

Jojoba oil hydrates, along with castor oil and pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate, which is a great moisturizing and conditioning emollient ester, says cosmetic chemist Amanda Lam. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 26 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from its former use as a substitute for castoreum in medicine

First Known Use

1746, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

castor oil

noun

: a pale thick oil obtained from castor beans and used chiefly as a lubricant or a laxative

Medical Definition

castor oil

noun

: a pale viscous fatty oil from castor beans used especially as a cathartic or lubricant