lactic acid
noun
: a hygroscopic organic acid C3H6O3 present normally especially in muscle tissue as a by-product of anaerobic glycolysis, produced in carbohydrate matter usually by bacterial fermentation, and used especially in food and medicine and in industry
Examples of lactic acid in a Sentence
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In rare cases, some people may have an allergic reaction to the drug, or be at risk for a dangerous buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream.
—
Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid Especially good for: Maintenance masking
Pros: Gentle enough to use up to twice a week
Cons: Pricey
14/20
EltaMD UV Clear Broadspectrum Sunscreen SPF 46
No skin care routine is complete without face sunscreen.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lactic acid 
Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2024
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, lactic acid, citric acid Especially good for: Maintenance masking
Pros: Gentle enough to use up to twice a week
Cons: Pricey
14/20
EltaMD UV Clear Broadspectrum Sunscreen SPF 46
No skin care routine is complete without face sunscreen.
—Macaela MacKenzie, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lactic acid
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Cite this Entry
“Lactic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lactic%20acid. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lactic acid
noun
: a hygroscopic organic acid C3H6O3 that is known in three optically isomeric forms:
a
or D-lactic acid
: the dextrorotatory form present normally in blood and muscle tissue as a product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose and glycogen
b
or L-lactic acid
: the levorotatory form obtained by biological fermentation of sucrose
c
or DL-lactic acid
: the racemic form present in food products and made usually by bacterial fermentation (as of whey or raw sugar) but also synthetically, and used chiefly in foods and beverages, in medicine, in tanning and dyeing, and in making esters for use as solvents and plasticizers
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