adipose
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
-
Relating to or consisting of animal fat.
-
◆ Adipose tissue is a type of connective tissue consisting of adipose cells, which are specialized to produce and store large fat globules. These globules are composed mainly of glycerol esters of oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Adipose tissue is the main reservoir of fat in animals.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of adipose
First recorded in 1735–45; from Latin adip-, stem of adeps “fat, lard” + -ose 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Without HSL in the nucleus, fat cells may lose their ability to stay healthy and properly maintain adipose tissue.
From Science Daily • May 8, 2026
Male obesity has been linked to low sperm count, via bifold mechanisms of increased conversion of testosterone to estrogen by adipose cells and by scrotal hyperthermia.
From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026
A closer look at white adipose tissue revealed shifts in multiple aging-related biomarkers.
From Science Daily • Dec. 19, 2025
Major sources of this fat include adipose tissue as well as fatty acids the liver makes in response to insulin resistance and excess caloric intake.
From Salon • Jul. 24, 2024
It was rather like the adipose fin of a fish, but gaudy.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
