adipose

American  

[ad-uh-pohs] / ˈæd əˌpoʊs /

adjective

1. fatty; consisting of, resembling, or relating to fat.

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noun

1. animal fat stored in the fatty tissue of the body.

adipose British  

/ -ˌpəʊz, ˈædɪˌpəʊs /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or containing fat; fatty

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noun

1. animal fat

adipose Scientific  

/ ăd′ə-pōs′ /

1. Relating to or consisting of animal fat.

2. ◆ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• adiposeness noun
• adiposis noun
• adiposity noun
• hyperadipose adjective

Etymology

Origin of adipose

First recorded in 1735–45; from Latin adip-, stem of adeps “fat, lard” + -ose ¹

Example Sentences

"I was particularly shocked by the recommendations for combating obesity, which did not mention the effect of MMS on adipose tissue but only affirmed self-acceptance combined with stigmatization of obesity," she says.

From Science Daily • Feb. 2, 2026

“Under the microscope you see a lot of inflammatory infiltrate in the adipose tissue,” Coviello said.

From Salon • Jan. 24, 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

The researchers found that as mice age and neurons in the hypothalamus become less active, sympathetic nerves pull back from white adipose tissue.

From Science Magazine • May 22, 2024

It was rather like the adipose fin of a fish, but gaudy.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White