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, phosphatides, cerebrosides, and related and derived compounds

lipidic

li-ˈpi-dik 

adjective

Examples of lipid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike bacteria and archaea, which are much older forms of life called prokaryotes, a eukaryotic cell has a double membrane of lipids around it. —Veronique Greenwood, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2025

These naturally occurring substances are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025

No major difference was seen in blood sugar control or most other cholesterol and lipid markers. —New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025

The workflow maps each strain’s natural lipid profile, then applies adaptive laboratory evolution and process optimization to scale production. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

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