Ester

/ˈestər/

noun

A chemical compound produced by reaction between an acid and an alcohol with the elimination of a molecule of water.

Glycerol can form three esters with a fatty acid, and as a result, fats are sometimes called triglycerides.

Technical

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Esters form by a linkage known as an ester bond, important in biology and materials.

The ester bond in polyester makes it a durable material for clothing.

Pro Tip 2/3

Esters are key in organic chemistry, often as flavoring agents or solvents.

Ethyl acetate, an ester, is used as a common solvent for nail polish.

Pro Tip 3/3

The term 'ester' is used in technical or scientific contexts, not typically in daily conversation.

In our chemistry class, we learned how an ester is synthesized.

polyester

Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!

As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.