lipid

American  

[lip-id, lahy-pid] / ˈlɪp ɪd, ˈlaɪ pɪd /

Also lipide

noun

Biochemistry.

lipids plural

1. any of a group of organic compounds that are greasy to the touch, insoluble in water, and soluble in alcohol and ether: lipids comprise the fats and other esters with analogous properties and constitute, with proteins and carbohydrates, the chief structural components of living cells.

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lipid British  

/ ˈlɪpɪd, ˈlaɪpɪd /

noun

1. Former name: lipoid.  biochem any of a large group of organic compounds that are esters of fatty acids ( simple lipids , such as fats and waxes) or closely related substances ( compound lipids , such as phospholipids): usually insoluble in water but soluble in alcohol and other organic solvents. They are important structural materials in living organisms

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lipid Scientific  

/ lĭp′ĭd /

1. Any of a large group of organic compounds that are oily to the touch and insoluble in water. Lipids include fatty acids, oils, waxes, sterols, and triglycerides. They are a source of stored energy and are a component of cell membranes.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lipids
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lipid

First recorded in 1920–25; lip- + -id ³

Explanation

A lipid is a waxy or oily organic molecule that is insoluble in water. Certain vitamins, like A, D, E, and K, are lipids. Lipids are sometimes described as fat-soluble, rather than water-soluble. A more precise way to think of them is "soluble in organic solvents." The same way a dollop of oil floats on a bowl of water, or a greasy pan only gets clean once you've added dish soap to the water, a lipid keeps itself separate from water. This gives it the ability to store energy and provide insulation. Lipid is derived from the Greek lipos, "fat or grease."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lipid lipids

The results suggest that mitochondrial aging is driven not only by accumulated genetic damage but also by age-related changes in lipid production.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

This expands current understanding of why mitochondria become less effective over time and highlights membrane lipid dynamics as another important factor in the aging process.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

Statistical models accounted for factors such as age, medical conditions, lipid levels, and treatment history.

From Science Daily ● May 15, 2026

The companies had accused Moderna of using their patented lipid nanoparticle technology—the delivery system featured in Moderna’s Spikevax Covid-19 vaccine—without permission.

From Barron's ● May 1, 2026

Before Citra left home, Mrs. Yeltner had reset her lipid point to svelte.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

“Essential oils are natural and can be irritating allergens. And ‘chemical-free skincare’ is scientifically impossible; water is a chemical, lipids are chemicals, and vitamins are chemicals.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026

EVs are microscopic particles released by cells that carry proteins, lipids, DNA and RNA to other cells.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 24, 2026

The soft tissue and lipids inside that many carcasses "translates to roughly 6.7 million tonnes of sequestered carbon," Xiaotong Peng said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026

"What is also important to note is that the decrease in blood pressure, lipids and blood glucose were also maintained in those patients taking oral medications," he adds.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

They dissolved the lipids in alcohol—but there was no change in transformation.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee