mon·o·so·di·um glutamate (m?n??-s??d?-?m)n. Abbr. MSG A white crystalline compound, C5H8NO 4Na, a monobasic salt of glutamic acid, used as a flavor enhancer in foods.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.monosodium glutamate (?m?n???s??d??m) n1. (Elements & Compounds) a white crystalline substance, the sodium salt of glutamic acid, that has little flavour itself but enhances the flavour of proteins either by increasing the amount of saliva produced in the mouth or by stimulating the taste buds: used as a food additive, esp in Chinese foods. Formula: NaC5H8O4. Also called: sodium glutamate Abbreviation: MSG 2. (Cookery) a white crystalline substance, the sodium salt of glutamic acid, that has little flavour itself but enhances the flavour of proteins either by increasing the amount of saliva produced in the mouth or by stimulating the taste buds: used as a food additive, esp in Chinese foods. Formula: NaC5H8O4. Also called: sodium glutamate Abbreviation: MSG Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014mon?o?so?di?um glu?tamate (?m?n ??so? di ?m) n. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C5H8NNaO4?H2O, used to intensify the flavor of foods. Also called MSG. [1925?30] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.mon·o·so·di·um glu·ta·mate (m?n??-s??d?-?m glo?o?t?-m?t?) A white, crystalline salt used to flavor food, especially in China and Japan. It occurs naturally in tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and seaweed.The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.