fat cell

noun

Definition of fat cell

: 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

The rapid contractions also cause your muscles to release chemicals that signal fat cells in the area to break down. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "Drew Barrymore’s Weight Loss Journey Hasn’t Been Easy—but She Finally Found Something That Works," 13 June 2019 Research shows that fat cells in those who are sleep-deprived are less able to respond properly to insulin, which may lead to weight gain. — Karyn Repinski, Woman's Day, "New Research Links Belly Fat to an Increased Risk of Heart Attacks in Women," 23 Jan. 2019 It is thought that, under the right conditions, fat cells chat with muscle cells, and muscle cells whisper to brain cells and everybody seems to want to be buddies with the liver. — Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times, "The Mysterious Interior World of Exercise," 24 Jan. 2018 Crystalized fat cells are naturally metabolized and eliminated by the body over the course of several weeks. — Allure, "The Skin-Care Glossary: A Comprehensive Guide to Everything You Need to Know," 17 Aug. 2018 Your body will slowly excrete the fat cells over a period of three months, revealing noticeable fat loss results that last forever. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "17 Over-the-Top Beauty Treatments to Try Before Your Wedding Day," 13 Dec. 2018 CoolScultping technology targets the fat cells beneath the skin, cooling them to a temperature that causes them to die off and eventually be metabolized by the body over the course of eight to 12 weeks. — Michelle Gant, Fox News, "'Selfie awareness' has millennials turning to double chin removal procedures," 21 Sep. 2018 The fat cells are then disposed and can never return to the area they were suctioned from. — Bryce Gruber, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Get Rid of Bra Bulge," 29 Mar. 2016 The sheer abundance of fatty acids overwhelms the fat cells, causing them to malfunction and die, after which, they're metabolized by the body and excreted as waste. — Jolene Edgar, Allure, "What Is EMSulpt? Here's Everything You Need to Know About the Body-Contouring Treatment," 17 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fat cell.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.