peptide

American  

[pep-tahyd] / ˈpɛp taɪd /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a compound containing two or more amino acids in which the carboxyl group of one acid is linked to the amino group of the other.

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peptide British  

/ ˈpɛptaɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of compounds consisting of two or more amino acids linked by chemical bonding between their respective carboxyl and amino groups See also peptide bond polypeptide

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peptide Scientific  

/ pĕp′tīd′ /

1. A chemical compound that is composed of a chain of two or more amino acids and is usually smaller than a protein. The amino acids can be alike or different. Many hormones and antibiotics are peptides.

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Etymology

Origin of peptide

1905–10; pept(ic) + -ide ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does peptide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• peptide vs. polypeptide

Example Sentences

When flies lacked protein in their diet, specialized cells in the intestine released a peptide hormone called CNMa.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Among so-called peptide users, often people involved in the fitness or looksmaxxing communities, off-label use of retatrutide has become popular.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

In the US, the FDA is considering easing restrictions on the use of peptide injections after Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr pushed to have the therapies deregulated.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

He did, however, quickly stop using MT-II, the tanning peptide that years ago was dubbed the “Barbie peptide.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Moreover, he was privy to a discussion in which the fundamental blunder about the shape of the peptide bond was made.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson