lipid

noun
lip·​id | \ ˈli-pəd How to pronounce lipid (audio) \
variants: or less commonly lipide \ ˈli-​ˌpīd How to pronounce lipide (audio) \

Definition of lipid

: 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

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Other Words from lipid

lipidic \ li-​ˈpi-​dik How to pronounce lipidic (audio) \ adjective

Examples of lipid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s what happened to Aubree Butterfield of Utah, who was diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia in July. Aubree Butterfield, 25, was diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia, a rare type of infection caused by lipids that enter the lungs. Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "What Is Lipoid Pneumonia—and Can You Get It From Vaping?," 23 Aug. 2019 The tests measuring amyloid actually measure the ratio of two different sizes of the amyloid peptide—similar to using the ratio of HDL to LDL blood cholesterol to evaluate lipids. Scientific American, "Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s: Two Experts on Why New Studies Are Encouraging," 13 Aug. 2019 The tests measuring amyloid actually measure the ratio of two different sizes of the amyloid peptide – similar to using the ratio of HDL to LDL blood cholesterol to evaluate lipids. The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Here’s what we know about blood tests for Alzheimer’s," 10 Aug. 2019 This serum is supposed to support your skin's suppleness and youthful radiance using its powerful blend of retinol and lipids. Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "I Tried Meghan Markle’s Favorite Beauty Products—Here’s What’s Worth Your Money," 24 May 2019 That cycle could have concentrated the necessary ingredients — including both lipids and the building blocks for RNA — and provided the energy needed to stitch those building blocks into biological polymers. Quanta Magazine, "In Warm, Greasy Puddles, the Spark of Life?," 17 Mar. 2016 As archaeologist Lisa-Marie Shillito suggests in the journal Antiquity, lipid residue found in pottery at the nearby Durrington Walls site indicates ancient Britons may have relied on pig fat to grease this system of logs and sledges. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Did Stonehenge’s Builders Use Lard to Move Its Boulders Into Place?," 17 July 2019 New cancer drug target identified by UC San Diego scientists Fatty chemicals called lipids that line cell membranes play an unexpected role in cancer, according to a study led by UC San Diego researchers. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Biotech notebook: Cancer discovery, bacterial syringes and organoids," 13 July 2019 For instance, in a 2008 study, researchers in the Netherlands found that a lipid and lanolin mixture (containing squalene and many other things) improved transepidermal water loss (TEWL) over 48 hours in hairless mice. Sarah Jacoby, SELF, "What the Heck Is Squalane Oil and Why Is It Suddenly in All My Skin-Care Products?," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lipid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lipid

1912, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lipid

International Scientific Vocabulary

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More Definitions for lipid

lipid

noun

English Language Learners Definition of lipid

technical : any one of various substances that contain fat and that are important parts of living cells

lipid

noun
lip·​id | \ ˈlip-əd How to pronounce lipid (audio) \
variants: also lipide \ -​ˌīd How to pronounce lipide (audio) \

Medical Definition of lipid

: 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