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

The authors of the new paper hypothesize that bacterial cells in lipid membranes may rise to the ocean’s surface, forming a scum similar to seafoam on Earth. —Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024

Ceramides comprise nearly 50% of the lipids in the stratum corneum. —Lisa Desantis, Health, 22 Mar. 2024

There were still hurdles — still questions about how to keep DNA changes out of the germline or not ring any maternal immune alarm bells — but now there were new tools to solve those, tools like CRISPR and mass-producible mRNA and lipid nanoparticles. —Megan Molteni, STAT, 21 Feb. 2024

Like gravity, lipid oxidation is basically inevitable. —Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 12 Mar. 2024

The skin barrier is composed of lipids (fats), proteins, and other substances that help maintain hydration and prevent harmful substances from getting in. —Amanda Gardner, Health, 4 Mar. 2024

This formula is enriched with a blend of lipids, amino acids, antioxidants, rice bran oil, and Pantene-Pro-Vitamin B5 to nourish hair, strengthen strands, and decrease breakage at the ends. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 13 Feb. 2024

Fatty acids are routinely checked during medical examinations, such as blood tests measuring your lipid profile. —Eyleen Jorgelina O'Rourke, Discover Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024

Omega-3s help maintain the skin's lipid barrier, keeping it hydrated and supple. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

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