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Glite Dictionary
process cheese

process cheese

3.3
A cheese made by mixing different cheeses with other ingredients that help it melt smoothly
  • noun
  • /ˈprɑːsɛs tʃiːz/
  • US
translation icon : queso procesado
  • Many people enjoy process cheeses in their recipes.
  • process cheese spread

Examples

  • He prefers natural cheddar to process cheese for its stronger flavor.

  • Many American sandwiches use process cheese because it melts smoothly.

  • The recipe calls for grated process cheese to create a creamy sauce.

  • I love process cheese on my sandwiches.

  • The recipe called for two cups of process cheese to create a creamy sauce.

  • In many diners, you can find burgers topped with melted process cheese for added flavor.

  • For a quick snack, I often enjoy crackers with slices of process cheese on top.

Synonyms

cheese
vsprocess cheese
∞ 1.0

A solid food made from milk that is pressed and often aged

is made by blending dairy varieties with emulsifiers to ensure uniform melting
American cheese
vsprocess cheese
  • US
4 1.3

A soft, mild cheese made in factories and used on burgers and sandwiches

is a broader type made for uniform meltability across many varieties
processed cheese
vsprocess cheese
1 2.8

Cheese made by mixing other cheeses with added ingredients to make a smooth, long-lasting product

aims for easy melting rather than emphasizing long shelf life

How Processed

process cheese
  • US
3.3
cheese
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

process cheese singular
process cheeses plural

Morphology

process + cheese

The meaning 'a type of cheese made by processing/blending natural cheeses' is directly and compositionally derived from 'process' (to perform actions on something) + 'cheese' (dairy product). A B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer this refers to cheese that has been processed (i.e., manufactured/altered), even if they lack technical details about emulsifiers or specific production methods.

Etymology

Process cheese gets its name from how it is made: makers process different kinds of cheese together and add ingredients to make a smooth, 'uniform' product. That's why the name refers to a cheese that 'melts' easily and tastes the same each time.