xanthan gum

noun

xan·​than gum ˈzan-thən- 

: a polysaccharide that is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by a gram-negative bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris) and is a thickening and suspending agent used especially in pharmaceuticals and prepared foods

called also xanthan

Examples of xanthan gum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other potentially irritating ingredients include fermentable fibers like inulin and carrageenan, gums and thickeners like xanthan gum, and sugar alcohols that can produce gas as a byproduct and trigger stomach discomfort, Sharp says. —Sonya Collins, Fortune, 25 June 2025

The bases are very easy to make but do include some ingredients that may not be sitting in your pantry, like nonfat dry milk powder, light corn syrup and xanthan gum. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025

Combinations with multiple ingredients may also include potato starch, tapioca starch, xanthan gum or other gums and starches to provide texture. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025

The document, which appeared to be a draft, included a section on emulsifiers, such as xanthan gum and carrageenan. —David Hilzenrath, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

xanth- (in New Latin Xanthomonas, bacterial genus name, from xantho- xantho- + -monas, combining form used in the generic names of microorganisms, borrowed from Greek monad-, monás "single item, unit") + -an entry 3 — more at monad

Note: The suffix in an earlier variant xantham, if not a misspelling, is unexplained.

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for xanthan gum

• nodosum
• overcome
• pyrethrum
• saccharum
• abomasum
• become
• checksum
• humdrum
• income
• outcome
• succumb
• therefrom

Medical Definition

xanthan gum

noun

xan·​than gum ˈzan-thən- 

: a polysaccharide that is produced by fermentation of carbohydrates by a bacterium (Xanthomonas campestris) and is a thickening and suspending agent used especially in pharmaceuticals and prepared foods

called also xanthan