stearic acidPronunciation: /ˈstɪərɪk, stɪˈarɪk/Definition of stearic acid noun Chemistry a solid saturated fatty acid obtained from animal or vegetable fats. Chemical formula: CH3(CH2)16COOH Origin: mid 19th century: stearic from French stéarique, from Greek stear 'tallow'stearic acid in other Oxford dictionaries Definition of stearic acid in the US English dictionary