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

Throw in the fact that hands have thinner skin, less collagen, and less fat support than other parts of the body, and a good hand cream becomes an essential part of any antiaging skin-care routine. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 1 June 2026

Other strengthening ingredients like collagen, peptides, fatty acids, and vitamin E can help plump, nourish, and protect hair from free radicals, which can encourage growth. —Ariel Wodarcyk, Glamour, 29 May 2026

Below, find a quick list of the benefits collagen peptides provide. —Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 29 May 2026

Specifically, these plummeting estrogen levels impair your body's baseline production of natural hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, the building blocks that keep your skin bouncy, plump, and lubricated. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Greek kolla + International Scientific Vocabulary -gen

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

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