fat cell

noun

: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets : adipocyte

When food is not available and insulin levels fall, the fat cells release triglycerides back into the bloodstream, where they are transported to the liver and broken down into ketones, which can serve as fuel for muscle and the brain.

—Jeffrey S. Flier et al.

Cellulite is formed by a collection of fat cells around the fibrous cords that attach skin to muscle.

—Jeannie Ralston

Examples of fat cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Omene plans to regularly measure blood samples and track changes in cancer markers, and biopsy participants' abdominal fat cells every six months, to see how those respond, in terms of hormones or inflammation. —Yuki Noguchi, NPR, 9 June 2026

Narula discussed the potential links between GLP-1s and breast cancer, explaining that after menopause, fat cells produce estrogen throughout the body, and higher levels of estrogen could translate to a higher risk of breast cancer. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

Tiger Aesthetics purchases abdominal fat cells from organ donations at tissue banks. —Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 7 Apr. 2026

Increasing the number of new fat cells can sometimes improve metabolic function. —Claudio Villanueva, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fat cell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

fat cell

noun

: any of the fat-containing cells that make up the connective tissue in which bodily fat is stored

Medical Definition

fat cell

noun

: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets : adipocyte

When food is not available and insulin levels fall, the fat cells release triglycerides back into the bloodstream, where they are transported to the liver and broken down into ketones, which can serve as fuel for muscle and the brain.

—Jeffrey S. Flier et al.

compare lipocyte