lecithin

noun

lec·​i·​thin ˈle-sə-thən 

: any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids that are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties

also : a mixture of or substance rich in lecithins

Examples of lecithin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cool Science: The mustard contains lecithin, an emulsifier. —Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, National Geographic, 20 May 2020

Other types of emollients include lecithin, isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate. —Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020

The problem was discovered when the firm’s seasoning supplier notified them that the proprietary seasoning, which is not supposed to contain soy, actually contains soy lecithin. —Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 30 Nov. 2019

Including soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and additives like soy lecithin· Dairy. —Molly Kimball, nola.com, 18 June 2019

The ingredients listed on the packaging are: unbleached enriched flour, sugar, palm and/or canola oil, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, leavening, corn starch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, and unsweetened chocolate. —Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2018

However, the price of the golden almond has led to the watering down of milks, with manufacturers relying instead on thickening agents like carrageenan and emulsifiers like lecithin. —Grace Dickinson, Philly.com, 13 Feb. 2018

More significant than the Diggers, perhaps, was a tiny vitamin-and-lecithin store that Fred Rohé took over in the Inner Sunset in 1965. —Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan. 2018

The reason the drops mix so seamlessly into any formula (and then onto your skin) is because the pigments are coated with lecithin, which is biochemically similar to the skin. —Carly Cardellino, Cosmopolitan, 21 Dec. 2015

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lekithos yolk of an egg

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lecithin

noun

lec·​i·​thin ˈles-ə-thən 

: any of several waxy phosphorus-containing substances that are common in animals and plants and are used especially in foods (as mayonnaise), medicine, and industrial processes

Medical Definition

lecithin

noun

lec·​i·​thin ˈles-ə-thən 

: any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids in which phosphatidic acid has formed an ester with choline and which are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties

also : a mixture of or a substance rich in lecithins

called also phosphatidylcholine