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.
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
Jeannie RalstonExamples of fat cell in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kybella is an injectable treatment that uses deoxycholic acid to dissolve fat cells permanently.
—Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
According to one study, the fat cells beneath your top layer of skin are sensitive to the sun's rays and shrink when exposed to the sun.13
Researchers speculate that this could be the reason why people tend to gain weight during the winter months or in northern areas where there is little sunlight.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 Sep. 2025
In order to generate heat, the brown fat cells need to draw on energy reserves stored in other fat cells.
—Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025
Animal studies found that mice fed a diet with higher amounts of miso gained less body fat and had smaller fat cells than mice on lower-miso diets.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fat cell
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Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
According to one study, the fat cells beneath your top layer of skin are sensitive to the sun's rays and shrink when exposed to the sun.13
Researchers speculate that this could be the reason why people tend to gain weight during the winter months or in northern areas where there is little sunlight.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 12 Sep. 2025
In order to generate heat, the brown fat cells need to draw on energy reserves stored in other fat cells.
—Diana Hubbell, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025
Animal studies found that mice fed a diet with higher amounts of miso gained less body fat and had smaller fat cells than mice on lower-miso diets.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fat cell
Cite this Entry
“Fat cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fat%20cell. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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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
Jeffrey S. Flier et al.Love words? Need even more definitions?
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