collagen

American  

[kol-uh-juhn] / ˈkɒl ə dʒən /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of extracellular proteins abundant in higher animals, especially in the skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, and teeth, forming strong insoluble fibers and serving as connective tissue between cells, yielding gelatin when denatured by boiling.

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collagen British  

/ ˈkɒlədʒən, ˌkɒləˈdʒɛnɪk, kəˈlædʒənəs /

noun

1. a fibrous scleroprotein of connective tissue and bones that is rich in glycine and proline and yields gelatine on boiling

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collagen Scientific  

/ kŏl′ə-jən /

1. Any of various tough, fibrous proteins found in bone, cartilage, skin, and other connective tissue. Collagens have great tensile strength, and provide these body structures with the ability to withstand forces that stretch them. Collagens consist of three polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix, and are bundled together in fibers. When boiled in water, collagen is converted into gelatin.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• collagenic
  adjective
• collagenous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of collagen

First recorded in 1860–65; from Greek kólla “glue” + -gen

Explanation

Collagen is a protein that keeps your bones strong and allows your skin to stretch and heal after injuries. One of the reasons we get wrinkles as we age is because we gradually lose collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in all mammals, including humans, and it's an important one, as it helps keep us strong and healthy. The word comes from a Greek root, kolla that means "glue." Most collagen is found in the connective tissue between our bones, and its loss can result in achy joints. Some people believe that taking collagen supplements (made from tissue and bones of animals) can improve their health and reduce this pain.

Example Sentences

As a result, the authors caution against viewing collagen as a quick solution for enhancing athletic performance.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

Results were either mixed or inconclusive, and there was limited strong evidence showing that collagen significantly improves metabolic health, gum disease, or cosmetic outcomes in dentistry.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

Researchers found that collagen supplementation can provide measurable benefits for skin health and osteoarthritis symptoms, but offers little help when it comes to boosting sports performance.

From Science Daily • Jun. 5, 2026

The tiles, made of collagen, become largely inert within weeks and are absorbed into the body.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

My dad was like: "Um, no. Jesus is not in your bones. Marrow is in your bones, and calcium and collagen."

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi