amyloid

noun

am·​y·​loid ˈa-mə-ˌlȯid 

: a waxy translucent substance consisting primarily of protein that is deposited in some animal organs and tissues under abnormal conditions (such as Alzheimer's disease) compare beta-amyloid

amyloid adjective

Examples of amyloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What Alzheimer’s blood tests currently measure Measuring levels of both amyloid and tau is key to understanding and diagnosing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2025

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but treatments such as immunotherapy targeting amyloid plaques aim to help patients maintain their independence and quality of life for longer. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025

That said, amyloid is not the whole story on preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s onset. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

According to Lesley, the presence of amyloid doesn’t guarantee the development of Alzheimer’s, or any other type of dementia, or impairment of function. —Elizabeth Yuko, Flow Space, 5 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing amyloid

• amyloid beta
• amyloid beta peptide
• amyloid beta protein
• beta-amyloid
• beta-amyloid peptide
• beta-amyloid protein

Rhymes for amyloid

• adenoid
• alkaloid
• amoeboid
• aneroid
• anthropoid
• arachnoid
• asteroid
• benzenoid
• carcinoid
• celluloid
• coronoid
• humanoid

Medical Definition

amyloid

noun

am·​y·​loid

ˈam-ə-ˌlȯid

1

: a nonnitrogenous starchy food

2

: a waxy translucent substance consisting primarily of protein that is deposited in some animal organs and tissue under abnormal conditions (as in Alzheimer's disease) see beta-amyloid

amyloid adjective