noun

• A colourless, sweet, viscous liquid formed as a by-product in soap manufacture. It is used as an emollient and laxative, and for making explosives and antifreeze.

  A trihydric alcohol; chemical formula: CH₂(OH)CH(OH)CH₂(OH)

  ‘The acetins are derivatives of glycerol that are prepared by heating glycerol with acetic acid.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Such agents include glucose, propylene glycerol, polyethylene glycol and hypaque.’
  • ‘Fats can be reduced in a solution of sodium hydroxide to produce glycerol and another kind of lipid, soap.’
  • ‘The fats or oils from these sources are isolated and hydrolyzed to produce glycerol and fatty acids.’
  • ‘Fatty acids form esters with alcohols, and the common esters are glycerides, because the alcohol involved is glycerol.’