carboxymethylcellulose
noun
car·boxy·meth·yl·cel·lu·lose kär-ˌbäk-sē-ˌme-thəl-ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 
-ˌlōz
: an acid ether derivative of cellulose that in the form of its sodium salt is used as a thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent and as a bulk laxative in medicine
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Those tampons contained ingredients like polyester foam and carboxymethylcellulose, a thickening agent that enabled more expansion than other tampons did, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Jan. 2018
Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Jan. 2018 Word History
First Known Use
1945, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
carboxymethylcellulose
noun
car·boxy·meth·yl·cel·lu·lose (ˌ)kär-ˌbäk-sē-ˌmeth-əl-ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs, -ˌlōz
: an acid ether derivative of cellulose that in the form of its sodium salt is used as a thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent and as a bulk laxative in medicine