: an amorphous polymer related to cellulose that provides rigidity and together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them
Examples of lignin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a first, scientists at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have created a new kind of polyurethane by mixing lignin, a material found in plant cell walls, along with carbon dioxide.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025
Vanillin can be obtained from cheaper sources, like eugenol and lignin, but the overwhelming majority of it is derived from petrochemicals, such as petroleum and coal tar.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 July 2025
This could be a partial solution to graphite demand
Through manufacturing methods already widely available and an abundance of lignin from the paper indusry, COnovate aims to produce eCOphite on a large enough scale to supply factories that manufacture EV batteries.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
First, the researchers boil samples of wood in a watery mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, which works to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose from the material.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lignin
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025
Vanillin can be obtained from cheaper sources, like eugenol and lignin, but the overwhelming majority of it is derived from petrochemicals, such as petroleum and coal tar.
—Sarah Jampel, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 July 2025
This could be a partial solution to graphite demand
Through manufacturing methods already widely available and an abundance of lignin from the paper indusry, COnovate aims to produce eCOphite on a large enough scale to supply factories that manufacture EV batteries.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
First, the researchers boil samples of wood in a watery mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, which works to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose from the material.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for lignin
Cite this Entry
“Lignin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lignin. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lignin
noun
lig·nin
ˈlig-nən 
: a substance related to cellulose that occurs in the woody cell walls of plants and in the cementing material between them
Medical Definition
lignin
noun
lig·nin
ˈlig-nən
: an amorphous polymeric substance related to cellulose that together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share