: an amorphous polymer related to cellulose that provides rigidity and together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them
Examples of lignin in a Sentence
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Basal lignin—aka lignin that’s been extracted but not further modified—varies widely in properties and therefore in quality, depending on the extraction process, as well.
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Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
This could be a partial solution to graphite demand
Through manufacturing methods already widely available and an abundance of lignin from the paper indusry, COnovate aims to produce eCOphite on a large enough scale to supply factories that manufacture EV batteries.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
First, the researchers boil samples of wood in a watery mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, which works to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose from the material.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 May 2025
This causes the cellulose (and remaining lignin) to swell, expanding inwards to fill the lumen.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025
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Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
This could be a partial solution to graphite demand
Through manufacturing methods already widely available and an abundance of lignin from the paper indusry, COnovate aims to produce eCOphite on a large enough scale to supply factories that manufacture EV batteries.
—Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025
First, the researchers boil samples of wood in a watery mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, which works to partially remove lignin and hemicellulose from the material.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 May 2025
This causes the cellulose (and remaining lignin) to swell, expanding inwards to fill the lumen.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lignin
Cite this Entry
“Lignin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lignin. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lignin
noun
lig·nin
ˈlig-nən 
: a substance related to cellulose that occurs in the woody cell walls of plants and in the cementing material between them
Medical Definition
lignin
noun
lig·nin
ˈlig-nən
: an amorphous polymeric substance related to cellulose that together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants and the cementing material between them
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