Definition of fatty acid in US English:
fatty acid
nounˈfadē ˈasədˈfædi ˈæsəd
Chemistry A carboxylic acid consisting of a hydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl group, especially any of those occurring as esters in fats and oils.
Example sentencesExamples
- The most common monounsaturated fatty acids are those oleic acids found in most oils.
- The carboxyl group on the fatty acid contributes some water solubility to the molecule.
- Vitamin E is more reactive than the fatty acid molecule and, therefore, reacts instead of it.
- Soaps are created by the chemical reaction of a fatty acid with an alkali metal hydroxide.
- The cellulose is digested by the bacteria and they supply the animals with short chain fatty acids.