hemicellulose

noun

hemi·​cel·​lu·​lose ˌhe-mi-ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs 

-ˌlōz

: any of various plant polysaccharides less complex than cellulose and easily hydrolyzable to monosaccharides and other products

Examples of hemicellulose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This stage determines the biocellulose content of the paper, including hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, as these components directly impact the paper’s adhesive properties. — Etiido Uko march 28, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026

Nutrition Facts Apples offer soluble fiber, primarily pectin found in the flesh, and insoluble fiber, like cellulose and hemicellulose, found mainly in the skin. — Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 4 Dec. 2025

Trees have two types of cellulose, called cellulose and hemicellulose, neither of which can be broken down by the same enzyme. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, 5 Apr. 2018

Heat can travel up and down the fibers with ease, but can't easily cross them, particularly because of the air gaps left after all the woody filler (lignin and hemicellulose) was removed. — Amina Khan, latimes.com, 10 Mar. 2018

These two chemicals work together to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose, two polymers that make the cell walls of plants rigid. — Marissa Fessenden, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2018

The lignin, hemicellulose, and other polymers that give the wood structure break down to produce sweet, vanilla notes. — Wayne Curtis, WIRED, 30 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hemicellulose

• methylcellulose
• nitrocellulose
• adios
• adipose
• amylose
• bellicose
• cellulose
• centavos
• comatose
• diagnose
• grandiose
• granulose

Medical Definition

hemicellulose

noun

hemi·​cel·​lu·​lose ˌhem-i-ˈsel-yə-ˌlōs, -ˌlōz 

: any of various plant polysaccharides less complex than cellulose and easily hydrolyzable to simple sugars and other products

hemicellulosic

-ik 

adjective