margarine

noun

mar·​ga·​rine ˈmär-jə-rən 

-ˌrēn;

ˈmärj-rən

: a food product made usually from vegetable oils churned with ripened skim milk to a smooth emulsion and used like butter

Examples of margarine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a large bowl, combine margarine and sugar, and cream together using a rubber spatula. —Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 12 Oct. 2024

Innovation and Its Enemies describes a number of historical innovations, from electricity and the printing press to coffee, margarine, and mechanical refrigeration, that demonstrate how resistance to change materializes. —Edoardo Campanella, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2017

Even the innocuous margarine did not receive a warm welcome when it was introduced in the United States in 1870. —Edoardo Campanella, Foreign Affairs, 15 May 2017

Do not use margarine; margarine contains water and this will affect the outcome of your cookies. Sugar. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, ultimately from Greek margaron pearl, probably back-formation from margaritēs

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

margarine

noun

mar·​ga·​rine ˈmärj-(ə-)rən 

ˈmärj-ə-ˌrēn

: a food product made from usually vegetable oils and skim milk and used as a spread and a cooking fat

Medical Definition

margarine

noun

mar·​ga·​rine ˈmärj-(ə-)rən, -ə-ˌrēn 

: a food product made usually from vegetable oils churned with ripened skim milk to a smooth emulsion, often fortified with vitamins A and D, and used as a substitute for butter