collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkä-lə-jən 

: any of a group of fibrous proteins that occur in vertebrates as the chief constituent of connective tissue fibrils and in bones and yield gelatin and glue upon boiling with water

collagenous

kə-ˈla-jə-nəs 

adjective

Examples of collagen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And strawberries are a great source of vitamin C, which supports immune function and collagen production—two body functions linked to better athletic performance. —Audrey Bruno, SELF, 11 July 2025

The vitamin C in the juice helps support collagen production and protects your skin from damage. —Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 9 July 2025

For folks with drier skin especially, Dr. Zeichner likes this collagen cream from Sol De Janeiro thanks to its hydrating ingredients. —Erin Bunch, Glamour, 9 July 2025

Read more Chevron Courtesy of Amazon Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder $27 $18 (33% off) Amazon Vital Proteins’ unflavored collagen powder mixes seamlessly into drinks or food, delivering 20g of grass-fed collagen per scoop for easy joint and skin support. —Parker Hall, Wired News, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek kolla + International Scientific Vocabulary -gen

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for collagen

• procollagen

Kids Definition

collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkäl-ə-jən 

: a protein that occurs in the form of fibers, does not dissolve, is found in connective tissue, and forms glue and gelatin upon boiling with water

Medical Definition

collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkäl-ə-jən 

: an insoluble fibrous protein of vertebrates that is the chief constituent of the fibrils of connective tissue (as in skin and tendons) and of the organic substance of bones and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with water

collagenic

ˌkäl-ə-ˈjen-ik 

adjective

collagenous

kə-ˈlaj-ə-nəs 

adjective