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lipopolysaccharide

noun

li·​po·​poly·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌlī-pō-ˌpä-li-ˈsa-kə-ˌrīd How to pronounce lipopolysaccharide (audio) ˌli- How to pronounce lipopolysaccharide (audio)
: a large molecule consisting of lipids and sugars joined by chemical bonds

Examples of lipopolysaccharide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This shift allows harmful bacteria to grow and weakens your gut barrier, allowing toxins like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to enter the bloodstream. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 15 Nov. 2025 Among the probable mechanisms is that poor diet alters the composition of the intestinal microbiome, encouraging the production of microbial toxins, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Tammy Worth, Scientific American, 24 June 2021 As expected, during the first six hours, the bats with lipopolysaccharide running through their veins moved less than the placebo recipients. Popular Science, 30 Oct. 2020 For convenience, scientists usually measure the amount of lipopolysaccharide in the blood to evaluate the extent of bacterial transfer into the body. Patrick Wilson, Outside Online, 15 June 2020 Like animals - from insects to mammals - people react very strongly to this substance, lipopolysaccharide. The Washington Post, NOLA.com, 3 Jan. 2018 Like animals — from insects to mammals — people react very strongly to this substance, lipopolysaccharide. Ben Guarino, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2018 Those that do not look roundish. The team report that more than 80% of the macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide and then saline grew long pseudopods. The Economist, 14 Sep. 2017 Poliovirus attaches itself to large molecules like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which stud the surface of the bacteria. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 13 Oct. 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lipopolysaccharide was in 1950

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Cite this Entry

“Lipopolysaccharide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lipopolysaccharide. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

lipopolysaccharide

noun
li·​po·​poly·​sac·​cha·​ride ˌlip-ō-ˌpäl-i-ˈsak-ə-ˌrīd How to pronounce lipopolysaccharide (audio) ˌlī-pō- How to pronounce lipopolysaccharide (audio)
: a large molecule consisting of lipids and sugars joined by chemical bonds
abbreviation LPS
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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