elastin

American

[ih-las-tin] / ɪˈlæs tɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

a protein constituting the basic substance of elastic tissue.

elastin British

/ ɪˈlæstɪn /

noun

biochem a fibrous scleroprotein constituting the major part of elastic tissue, such as the walls of arteries

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of elastin

First recorded in 1870–75; elast(ic) + -in ²

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.

See Examples For:

elastin

In arteries, it showed alternating collagen and elastin layers that support both strength and elasticity.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 9, 2025

For instance, one study concluded that GLP-1 drugs cause certain stem cells to behave differently—in particular, the ones that produce collagen and elastin, which are important skin boosters that are diminished by rapid weight loss.

From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2025

"This allows new blood vessels and skin cells to be formed, along with more collagen and elastin," he tells the BBC.

From BBC ● Mar. 7, 2025

Dee also combines the treatments with high-grade medical skin care to exfoliate dead skin cells and use serums to stimulate collagen and elastin.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 24, 2023

Typical albuminoids are gelatin, keratin, elastin, fibroin, spongin and conchiolin.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023