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

Peptides are chains of amino acids that carry signals to cells.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Peptides make up a broad category that includes FDA-approved drugs, supplements and experimental treatments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, or small proteins, which our bodies naturally produce.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Dr. Daniel Drucker is a clinician-researcher and professor at the University of Toronto, and holds the Canada Research Chair in Regulatory Peptides and the Banting and Best Diabetes Centre-Novo Nordisk chair in Incretin biology.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 2025

"Peptides can assume a variety of forms, shapes, and positions," Xue said.

From Science Daily • Jan. 4, 2024