amyloid

American  

[am-uh-loid] / ˈæm əˌlɔɪd /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a waxy, translucent substance, composed primarily of protein fibers, that is deposited in various organs of animals in certain diseases.

2. a nonnitrogenous food consisting especially of starch.

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adjective

1. Also amyloidal of, resembling, or containing amylum.

amyloid British  

/ ˈæmɪˌlɔɪd /

noun

1. pathol a complex protein resembling starch, deposited in tissues in some degenerative diseases

2. any substance resembling starch

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adjective

1. starchlike

amyloid Scientific  

/ ăm′ə-loid′ /

1. A hard waxy substance consisting of protein and polysaccharides that results from the degeneration of tissue and is deposited in organs or tissues of the body in various chronic diseases.

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1. Starchlike.

Etymology

Origin of amyloid

First recorded in 1855–60; amyl- + -oid

Example Sentences

And while the researchers looked at 17 different medical studies, only two of those related specifically to Leqembi and Kisunla; the others related to other drugs that targeted amyloid clusters.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

The drugs attack a sticky gunk – called beta amyloid – that builds up in the spaces between brain cells in Alzheimer's disease.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The Cochrane Collaboration, which rigorously and independently analyses medical data, looked at 17 studies, involving 20,342 volunteers, of drugs that remove amyloid from the brain.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

These benefits remained even after accounting for early brain changes associated with Alzheimer's, including the buildup of proteins called amyloid and tau.

From Science Daily • Apr. 15, 2026

The colloid appearances due to the amyloid degeneration of cells are of the greatest clinical importance from their frequent occurrence and the gravity of the symptoms connected with their presence.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various