lignin

American  

[lig-nin] / ˈlɪg nɪn /

noun

1. Botany. an organic substance that, with cellulose, forms the chief part of woody tissue.

2. Papermaking. impure matter found in wood pulp.

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lignin British  

/ ˈlɪɡnɪn /

noun

1. a complex polymer occurring in certain plant cell walls making the plant rigid

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lignin Scientific  

/ lĭg′nĭn /

1. A complex organic compound that binds to cellulose fibers and hardens and strengthens the cell walls of plants. Lignin is a polymer consisting of various aromatic alcohols, and is the chief noncarbohydrate constituent of wood.

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Etymology

Origin of lignin

First recorded in 1815–25; lign- + -in ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lignin

The researchers also determined, at the molecular level, how the catalyst breaks the strong chemical bonds that help hold lignin together.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

When tested under optimized conditions, the catalyst converted nearly all of the model lignin compounds and generated high yields of valuable chemical products, including phenol.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026

The findings were published in the journal Science Advances in the paper, "Pseudomonads associated to salt-stressed plants facilitate stress adaption of soybean through enhanced lignin biosynthesis."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 29, 2026

He says it improves the ‘tannin and lignin extraction from the tea leaves,’ and I guess his family thought that was important.

From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2024

Like tropical rains from a jungle roof, lignin dripped from the vaults, and in falling, burst into flames.

From The Brain by Alexander Blade

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