lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈli-pəd 

variants or less commonly lipide

ˈli-ˌpīd 

: 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

lipidic

li-ˈpi-dik 

adjective

Examples of lipid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In February 2025, KJ received his first infusion — a dose of CRISPR components delivered to his liver using lipid nanoparticles. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 16 May 2025

Harsh soaps can rob your skin of proteins and lipids (fats) and leave residue behind. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025

The goal is to reuse key parts of the treatment -- like the lipid nanoparticle and mRNA -- and simply swap in a custom set of instructions for each patient's specific gene mutation, Ahrens-Nicklas explained. —Keerthana Pakanati, ABC News, 15 May 2025

Stress in women also disrupts lipid balance, increases platelet aggregation and impairs glucose regulation. —Carmen Rios, Flow Space, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈlip-əd 

: any of various substances (as fats and waxes) that with proteins and carbohydrates make up the principal structural parts of living cells

Medical Definition

lipid

noun

lip·​id ˈlip-əd 

variants also lipide

-ˌīd 

: 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