lipid

[ lip-id, lahy-pid ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a group of organic compounds that are greasy to the touch, insoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol and ether: lipids comprise the fats and other esters with analogous properties and constitute, with proteins and carbohydrates, the chief structural components of living cells.

lipid

/ ˈlɪpɪd; ˈlaɪpɪd /

noun

1. biochem any of a large group of organic compounds that are esters of fatty acids ( simple lipids , such as fats and waxes) or closely related substances ( compound lipids , such as phospholipids): usually insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol and other organic solvents. They are important structural materials in living organisms Former namelipoid

lipid

/ lĭp′ĭd /

1. Any of a large group of organic compounds that are oily to the touch and insoluble in water. Lipids include fatty acids, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides. They are a source of stored energy and are a component of cell membranes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipid¹

First recorded in 1920–25; lip- + -id ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of lipid¹

C20: from French lipide, from Greek lipos fat

Example Sentences

He found that the cell nucleus contained a substance that differed dramatically from the proteins and lipids in the rest of the cell.

From Science News

The other ingredients—salts, sugars, and the lipid nanoparticles—would not have to be changed.

From MIT Technology Review

The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines do so by encapsulating the mRNA in tiny oily capsules, known as lipid nanoparticles.

From Time

They are now testing it to see if they can detect other components, like oligosaccharides and lipids.

From MIT Technology Review

Pfizer makes a point of saying its mixture of lipid nanoparticles and mRNA is “preservative-free.”

From MIT Technology Review