monosodium glutamate

noun

mono·​so·​di·​um glu·​ta·​mate ˌmä-nə-ˌsō-dē-əm-ˈglü-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce monosodium glutamate (audio)
: a crystalline sodium salt C5H8NO4Na derived from glutamic acid and used to enhance the flavor of food
abbreviation MSG

Examples of monosodium glutamate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Stove Top Savory Herb What’s inside: Unsurprisingly, both Stove Top stuffing mixes had similar ingredient lists, though MSG (monosodium glutamate, on the ingredients list) is only present in this version. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023 Or consider a sprinkle of potassium chloride or monosodium glutamate for extra savoriness. Sarah Garone, Health, 7 Apr. 2023 The product was monosodium glutamate, or MSG. Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 30 Dec. 2020 Then, Allison Aubrey learns about the reputation of monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. David Morgan, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2023 Kwok’s letter led to others sharing similar observations, and soon there were (now-debunked) studies pointing to monosodium glutamate as the cause. Washington Post, 27 Aug. 2021 Despite their different names, glutamate, glutamic acid, and monosodium glutamate are essentially the same molecule and behave the same way in our bodies. Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 2 July 2013 Ajinomoto's recent profit growth was driven by a core component used to power computers and 5G During the covid-19 pandemic, Ajinomoto, the maker and inventor of the food seasoning called monosodium glutamate (MSG), found its profits booming. Michelle Cheng, Quartz, 16 Dec. 2022 Around that same time, Saburosuke Suzuki II started a company specializing in monosodium glutamate , which is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 22 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'monosodium glutamate.' 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

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of monosodium glutamate was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near monosodium glutamate

Cite this Entry

“Monosodium glutamate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monosodium%20glutamate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

monosodium glutamate

noun
mono·​so·​di·​um glu·​ta·​mate ˌmän-ə-ˌsōd-ē-əm-ˈglüt-ə-ˌmāt How to pronounce monosodium glutamate (audio)
: a sodium salt used for seasoning foods

Medical Definition

monosodium glutamate

noun
mono·​so·​di·​um glu·​ta·​mate ˌmän-ə-ˌsōd-ē-əm-ˈglüt-ə-ˌmāt How to pronounce monosodium glutamate (audio)
: a crystalline salt C5H8NO4Na derived from glutamic acid that is used to enhance the flavor of food and medicinally to reduce ammonia levels in blood and tissues in ammoniacal azotemia (as in hepatic insufficiency)
abbreviation MSG

called also sodium glutamate

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