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

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

But scientists began to notice that some beige fat cells didn’t have UCP1 at all. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2024

That’s because if a person gains fat and the body can’t store it in subcutaneous fat cells, it gets stored as a more dangerous type of adipose tissue called visceral fat. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024

Many breast cancers are estrogen driven and fat cells have enzymes which make estrogen, Dr. DiNome explains. —Wendy Grossman Kantor, People.com, 10 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