menthol

noun

men·​thol ˈmen-ˌthȯl How to pronounce menthol (audio)
-ˌthōl
1
: a crystalline alcohol C10H20O that occurs especially in mint oils and has the odor and cooling properties of peppermint
2
menthols plural : mentholated cigarettes

Examples of menthol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the tobacco industry has long marketed menthol cigarettes to Black communities. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 More than half of kids who smoke choose menthol cigarettes, according to the CDC. Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Black communities are impacted the most, and use menthol products at far higher rates. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2024 The politics of banning menthol cigarettes are delicate for Mr. Biden. David A. Fahrenthold, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2023 Much of the blame should be placed on menthol cigarettes. Regina Benjamin and Jerome Adams, STAT, 9 Feb. 2024 Nearly 85% of all non-Hispanic Black smokers use menthol cigarettes, compared to 30% of non-Hispanic white smokers, per the FDA. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2024 This balm moisturizes and calms the skin while nourishing it with beneficial ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and menthol. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 4 July 2023 The natural analgesic qualities of willow bark and the cooling sensation of menthol in the ingredient add to the formula's ability to relieve pain. 11. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 12 June 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

German, ultimately from Latin mentha mint

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of menthol was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near menthol

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

menthol

noun
men·​thol ˈmen-ˌthȯl How to pronounce menthol (audio)
-ˌthōl
: a white soothing substance from oils of mint

Medical Definition

menthol

noun
: a crystalline alcohol C10H20O that occurs especially in mint oils, has the odor and cooling properties of peppermint, and is used in flavoring and in medicine (as locally to relieve pain, itching, and nasal congestion)

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