cornstarch

noun

corn·​starch ˈkȯrn-ˌstärch How to pronounce cornstarch (audio)
: starch made from corn and used in foods as a thickening agent, in making corn syrup and sugars, and in the manufacture of adhesives and sizes for paper and textiles

Examples of cornstarch in a Sentence

I used some cornstarch to thicken the gravy.
Recent Examples on the Web In the same bowl, combine the tofu, sweet potato, cornstarch and 2 teaspoons chili powder and season generously with about 2 teaspoons salt. Emily Weinstein, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 Turn the speed to low, then add the flour and cornstarch and mix until no streaks of flour remain, 15–20 seconds. Yi Jun Loh, Saveur, 8 Feb. 2024 Whisk the egg in a medium bowl until foamy, then add the lemon juice and cornstarch, whisking until incorporated. Kathleen Purvis, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Potato starch: Another great thickener for sauces and soups, potato starch can tolerate higher temperatures than cornstarch. Nina Lincoff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 To sear the meat, Favela uses cornstarch instead of wheat flour for a gluten-free dish. Judy Revenaugh, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024 Thoroughly stir together the broth, cornstarch, mustard and chives in a 1-quart glass measuring cup or microwave-safe bowl. Nancy Baggett, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Whisk remaining 1 teaspoon water and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch together in 2-cup liquid measuring cup, then whisk in egg until combined. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024 If the affected skin is in a moisture-prone area, consider sprinkling some cornstarch to absorb any excess. Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 16 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cornstarch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cornstarch was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near cornstarch

Cite this Entry

“Cornstarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornstarch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cornstarch

noun
corn·​starch -ˌstärch How to pronounce cornstarch (audio)
: a fine starch made from corn and used in foods for thickening, in making corn syrup and sugars, and in making adhesives and sizes for papers and textiles

More from Merriam-Webster on cornstarch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!