lipase

American  

[lahy-peys, lip-eys] / ˈlaɪ peɪs, ˈlɪp eɪs /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of enzymes that break down fats, produced by the liver, pancreas, and other digestive organs or by certain plants.

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lipase British  

/ ˈlaɪpeɪs, ˈlɪpeɪs /

noun

1. any of a group of fat-digesting enzymes produced in the stomach, pancreas, and liver and also occurring widely in the seeds of plants

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lipase Scientific  

/ lĭp′ās′,lī′pās′ /

1. Any of various enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats, especially triglycerides and phospholipids, into glycerol and fatty acids.

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Etymology

Origin of lipase

First recorded in 1895–1900; lip- + -ase

Example Sentences

Known as hormone-sensitive lipase, or HSL, the enzyme was thought to work mainly as the body's emergency fuel switch, helping release stored fat when energy runs low.

From Science Daily • May 8, 2026

Another important factor is hormone-sensitive lipase, an enzyme that releases fat from our fat cells.

From Washington Post • Jan. 10, 2023

The vet will perform diagnostic blood tests, including a specific test for pancreatic enzymes called pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity or cPLI/fPLI.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2022

Saliva contains an enzyme called lipase, which starts chemical digestion in the mouth by breaking down proteins.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Though it has been shown that lipase acts as a true catalyser, this may not hold for all, especially for proteolytic, enzymes.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous