pectin

noun

pec·​tin ˈpek-tən 

: any of various water-soluble substances that bind adjacent cell walls in plant tissues and yield a gel which is the basis of fruit jellies

also : a commercial product rich in pectins

Examples of pectin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ingredients like aloe vera and apple pectin also cushion and soothe the digestive tract to help ensure a comfortable detox without the cramping and upset. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 30 June 2025

The moisture-retaining inner layer is lined with ingredients like gelatin, pectin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose that transform into a gel when the patch absorbs fluid and pus from a pimple, per Healthline. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 20 June 2025

Blackberries and strawberries have more pectin than blueberries and will set up slightly thicker once cooled. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025

Apples contain pectin, a type of soluble fiber, in their skin. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French pectine, from pectique

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pectin

• lectin
• pecten
• amylopectin
• fibronectin
• ivermectin
• selectin

Kids Definition

pectin

noun

pec·​tin ˈpek-tən 

: any of various substances in plant tissues that dissolve in water and produce a gel which is the basis of fruit jellies

also : a commercial product rich in pectins

Medical Definition

pectin

noun

pec·​tin ˈpek-tən 

1

: any of various water-soluble substances that bind adjacent cell walls in plant tissues and yield a gel which is the basis of fruit jellies

2

: a commercial product rich in pectins and used chiefly in making jelly and other foods, in pharmaceutical products especially for the control of diarrhea, and in cosmetics