: a toilet powder composed of perfumed talc or talc and a mild antiseptic
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebBerg immediately posted a message on the forum of the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, asking if any other women thought their cancer might have been caused by talcum powder. Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 The company has repeatedly said its talcum powder doesn’t contain asbestos. Talal Ansari, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2022 The teacher told her to keep putting talcum powder on her face to look like her white counterparts.New York Times, 24 Mar. 2022 JaVanté Owens, a Black student who graduated in 2017, said she was cast as the ghost of a white soldier in drama class, and her instructor kept making her put talcum powder on her face to look like her white classmates. Kevin L. Clark, Essence, 30 Mar. 2022 Bars of soap, too, and extra sheets, talcum powder, needles, and thread. Zach Williams, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2022 In 2018, there was a report by Reuters that the company had known for decades that the raw material in talcum powder could be contaminated with asbestos but tried to cover it up. Edward Segal, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2022 The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request by Johnson & Johnson to halt a Mississippi lawsuit over its talcum powder products.CBS News, 13 Dec. 2021 Satterley said Prudencio stopped using talcum powder at age 16 but continued to be exposed to it because two younger siblings used it. Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, 27 Aug. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin talcum talc
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
talcum powder
noun
tal·cum powder ˈtal-kəm-
: a usually perfumed powder for the body made of talc
Medical Definition
talcum powder
noun
1
: powdered talc
2
: a toilet powder composed of perfumed talc or talc and some mild antiseptic