fat cell

noun

: 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

Liposuction surgically removes fat cells, while cryolipolysis freezes and destroys them. —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Aug. 2025

Fats can be toxic for tissues, Rohner explains, so they are stored in fat cells. —ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2025

In the experiments exclusively using human tissue, the researchers examined fat cells at varying distances from tumor cells. —Linda Carroll, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2025

In the present study, the researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to screen thousands of genes in mouse fat cells, or adipocytes, to see which ones might produce microproteins that influence fat cell growth (proliferation) and fat storage. —New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fat cell

• barbell
• bedwell
• befell
• bluebell
• bombshell
• bridewell
• capelle
• cartel
• carvel
• clamshell
• cogswell
• compel

Kids Definition

fat cell

noun

: any of the fat-containing cells that make up the connective tissue in which bodily fat is stored

Medical Definition

fat cell

noun

: 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.

compare lipocyte