fat cell

noun

: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets : adipocyte

When food is not available and insulin levels fall, the fat cells release triglycerides back into the bloodstream, where they are transported to the liver and broken down into ketones, which can serve as fuel for muscle and the brain.

—Jeffrey S. Flier et al.

Cellulite is formed by a collection of fat cells around the fibrous cords that attach skin to muscle.

—Jeannie Ralston

Examples of fat cell in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What Is the Function of Leptin? Leptin is a hormone that’s released by fat cells and processed in the brain. —Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 3 Dec. 2024

Something the researchers haven’t investigated is how long fat cells can remember obesity. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024

The new paper suggests that in fat cells, these changes linger even after a person loses weight. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2024

Very low-density lipoprotein carries triglycerides from the liver throughout your body for storage. IDL: Intermediate-density lipoprotein results from muscle and fat cells removing fatty acids (components of triglycerides) from VLDL. —Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

fat cell

noun

: any of the fat-containing cells that make up the connective tissue in which bodily fat is stored

Medical Definition

fat cell

noun

: a specialized cell of adipose tissue that stores excess energy in the form of triglyceride droplets : adipocyte

When food is not available and insulin levels fall, the fat cells release triglycerides back into the bloodstream, where they are transported to the liver and broken down into ketones, which can serve as fuel for muscle and the brain.

—Jeffrey S. Flier et al.

compare lipocyte