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

These molecules can damage DNA, proteins and lipids in cells in a process called oxidative stress. —Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025

Plus, a blend of soybeans and lipids work together to add moisture and fight unwanted frizz. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025

Other Factors Disrupting Midlife Skin Health This change in skin quality is also impacted by a decline in ceramide lipid cells, which are, essentially, fats in the skin cells that make up about half of the skin barrier. —Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 4 Apr. 2025

This system plays a role in regulating various physiological processes, including lipid metabolism. —Matt Rozo, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 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