collagen

American  

[kol-uh-juhn] / ˈkɒl ə dʒən /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of extracellular proteins abundant in higher animals, especially in the skin, bone, cartilage, tendon, and teeth, forming strong insoluble fibers and serving as connective tissue between cells, yielding gelatin when denatured by boiling.

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collagen British  

/ ˈkɒlədʒən, ˌkɒləˈdʒɛnɪk, kəˈlædʒənəs /

noun

1. a fibrous scleroprotein of connective tissue and bones that is rich in glycine and proline and yields gelatine on boiling

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collagen Scientific  

/ kŏl′ə-jən /

1. Any of various tough, fibrous proteins found in bone, cartilage, skin, and other connective tissue. Collagens have great tensile strength, and provide these body structures with the ability to withstand forces that stretch them. Collagens consist of three polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix, and are bundled together in fibers. When boiled in water, collagen is converted into gelatin.

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Other Word Forms

• collagenic adjective
• collagenous adjective

Etymology

Origin of collagen

First recorded in 1860–65; from Greek kólla “glue” + -gen

Explanation

Collagen is a protein that keeps your bones strong and allows your skin to stretch and heal after injuries. One of the reasons we get wrinkles as we age is because we gradually lose collagen. Collagen is the most common protein in all mammals, including humans, and it's an important one, as it helps keep us strong and healthy. The word comes from a Greek root, kolla that means "glue." Most collagen is found in the connective tissue between our bones, and its loss can result in achy joints. Some people believe that taking collagen supplements (made from tissue and bones of animals) can improve their health and reduce this pain.

Example Sentences

I hand each reporter one of two A.I.-generated research reports on collagen supplements—same underlying studies, same data, different framing.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Report A primes a “Does collagen work?” story.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Further analysis showed reduced activity in genes linked to fibrosis, including those involved in collagen production, in the livers of treated mice.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

In test tube studies, bone forming cells quickly moved into the structured hydrogel and began producing collagen, a key building block of bone.

From Science Daily • Mar. 3, 2026

In this way, collagen in the body turns to mush, and the underlayers of the skin die and liquefy.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston