lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈli-pəd 

variants or less commonly lipide

ˈli-ˌpīd 

: any of various substances that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents (such as chloroform and ether), that are usually insoluble in water, that with proteins and carbohydrates constitute the principal structural components of living cells, and that include fats, waxes, phospholipids, cerebrosides, and related and derived compounds

lipidic

li-ˈpi-dik 

adjective

Examples of lipid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the barrier is the outer, dead-cell layer of skin made up of corneocytes, lipids, proteins and fats that keep water in and irritants out. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Dietitians Recommend Green Tea for Lowering Triglycerides Green tea is linked with a number of health benefits, including lowering blood lipids. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 15 Sep. 2026

Ceramides replenish the lipids that keep moisture in and irritants out, while soothing oat and allantoin calm stressed skin. — Emily Orofino, Allure, 15 Sep. 2026

The drug was designed to reduce the rates of heart attack or stroke by lowering lipoprotein a, or Lp(a), a type of lipid that, at elevated concentrations, increases the likelihood of severe heart problems. — Allison Deangelis, STAT, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for lipid

• phospholipid

Kids Definition

lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈlip-əd 

: any of various substances (as fats and waxes) that with proteins and carbohydrates make up the principal structural parts of living cells

Medical Definition

lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈlip-əd 

variants also lipide

-ˌīd 

: any of various substances that are soluble in nonpolar organic solvents (as chloroform and ether), that with proteins and carbohydrates constitute the principal structural components of living cells, and that include fats, waxes, phospholipids, cerebrosides, and related and derived compounds