sulfite

noun

sul·​fite ˈsəl-ˌfīt How to pronounce sulfite (audio)
: a salt or ester of sulfurous acid
sulfitic
ˌsəl-ˈfi-tik How to pronounce sulfite (audio)
adjective

Examples of sulfite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
If the ketchup contains sulfites, using it may actually make the tarnish worse. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025 PureWine removes both the histamines and sulfites that trigger most common wine allergies. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 However, when those sulfites are part of real wine, which also contains healthy plant compounds called polyphenols, the effect is much smaller. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025 Certain foods—such as those containing tyramine, sulfites, and aspartame—can trigger attacks. — Joy Emeh, Health, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sulfite

Word History

Etymology

French sulfite, alteration of sulfate

First Known Use

1788, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sulfite was in 1788

Rhymes for sulfite

See All Rhymes for sulfite

Browse Nearby Words

sulfitation cake
sulfite
sulfite liquor
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sulfite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sulfite. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

sulfite

noun
sul·​fite
variants or chiefly British sulphite
ˈsəl-ˌfit How to pronounce sulfite (audio)
: a salt or ester of sulfurous acid

More from Merriam-Webster on sulfite

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sulfite

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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