starched; starching; starches
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
1
: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, and is used also in adhesives and sizes, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
: a stiff formal manner : formality
3
: resolute vigor
Synonyms
Examples of starch in a Sentence
Verb
He starches the collars of his shirts.
Noun
a middle-aged woman who has retained the starch of youth
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks.
—Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Steven Savage, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Genetic variations – both rare and common – can occur that are relevant to our ability to digest the sugars and starches that form a major part of our diets.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starch 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
At the time woven only by hand, these garments were prohibitively expensive to starch and clean.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 10 July 2024
The fabric, fully starched, would soar into the air and find its resting place on his cheeks.
—Melvin Backman, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2023
Noun
It can also be added to just about any meat or starch dish.
—Steven Savage, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Genetic variations – both rare and common – can occur that are relevant to our ability to digest the sugars and starches that form a major part of our diets.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for starch
Dictionary Entries Near starch
Cite this Entry
“Starch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starch. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
starch
1 of 2 verb
: to stiffen with or as if with starch
starch
2 of 2 noun1
: a white odorless tasteless carbohydrate that is the chief form in which carbohydrate is stored in plants, is an important food, and is used also in adhesives, in laundering, and in pharmacy and medicine
2
: a stiff formal manner : formality
3
Medical Definition
starch
noun
: a white odorless tasteless granular or powdery complex carbohydrate (C6H10O5)x that is the chief storage form of carbohydrate in plants, is an important foodstuff, has demulcent and absorbent properties, and is used in pharmacy especially as a dusting powder and as a constituent of ointments and pastes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share