linoleic acid

American

Also linolic acid

noun

Chemistry.

an unsaturated fatty acid, C 18 H 32 O 2 , occurring as a glyceride in drying oils, as in linseed oil.

linoleic acid British

/ ˌlɪnəʊˈliːɪk /

noun

a colourless oily essential fatty acid found in many natural oils, such as linseed: used in the manufacture of soaps, emulsifiers, and driers. Formula: C 18 H 32 O 2

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

linoleic acid Scientific

/ lĭn′ə-lē′ĭk /

An unsaturated fatty acid that has two double bonds and is a nutrient essential for prostaglandin production in the human body. It is an important component of many vegetable oils, such as linseed, soybean, peanut, corn, and safflower oil, and is also found in meat and dairy products. Chemical formula: C ₁₈ H ₃₂ O ₂ .

Etymology

Origin of linoleic acid

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Formula manufacturers say they use seed oils because they provide key fats babies need to grow, including linoleic acid—a nutrient that is also found in breast milk and required in all formulas.

From The Wall Street Journal

The altered protein also changes how the body handles linoleic acid, one of the primary components of soybean oil.

From Science Daily

While all oils contain varying levels of fatty acids, some argue an excessive intake of a specific omega-6 fatty acid in seed oils called "linoleic acid" may contribute to inflammation in the body.

From Salon

Differences between the two soybean oils suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids in unmodified soybean oil, primarily linoleic acid, play a role in altering gene expression.

From Science Daily

One criticism of seed oils is that they’re too high in omega-6 fatty acids — especially linoleic acid — and this can cause inflammation in the body.

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023