any of various volatile organic oils present in plants, usually containing terpenes and esters and having the odour or flavour of the plant from which they are extracted: used in flavouring and perfumery
Compare fixed oil, See also oleoresin
essential oil in American English
any volatile oil that gives distinctive odor, flavor, etc. to a plant, flower, or fruit
Examples of 'essential oil' in a sentence
essential oil
Plant essential oils can contain chemicals that might have a direct effect on the patient or react with prescription medicines.