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

AstraZeneca expects to release data from a transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy late-stage study for Wainua—which is already approved in the U.S. for a related disease—in the second half of the year.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Researchers have suggested that targeting amyloid early in the disease might offer the best chance of slowing progression.

From Science Daily • May 4, 2026

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have uncovered a built in process that can remove existing amyloid plaques from the brains of mouse models of Alzheimer's disease while also helping preserve memory and thinking ability.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2026

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 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