variants or less commonly solanin
: a bitter poisonous crystalline alkaloid C45H73NO15 found in the parts (such as tubers and fruits) of several plants (such as potatoes and tomatoes) of the nightshade family

Examples of solanine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, don't produce solanine in the same way or at the same levels. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026 Potatoes contain the compound solanine, which can be toxic in large amounts. Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2026 Its important to make sure that your dog doesn't eat any green parts of the tomato plant, which contains a toxic substance called solanine. Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 26 June 2026 Potatoes contain solanine, which can be extracted by boiling the potato peels in water. Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for solanine

Word History

Etymology

French solanine, from Latin solanum

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of solanine was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Solanine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solanine. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

solanine

noun
so·​la·​nine
: a bitter poisonous crystalline alkaloid C45H72NO15 from several plants (as some potatoes or tomatoes) of the family Solanaceae

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