mucin

American

[myoo-sin] / ˈmyu sɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

any of a class of glycoproteins found in saliva, gastric juice, etc., that form viscous solutions and act as lubricants or protectants on external and internal surfaces of the body.

mucin British

/ ˈmjuːsɪn /

noun

biochem any of a group of nitrogenous mucoproteins occurring in saliva, skin, tendon, etc, that produce a very viscous solution in water

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of mucin

First recorded in 1825–35; muc- + -in ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Colonic mucin keeps stool moist, allows it to pass more easily, and shields the intestinal lining from bacteria.

From Science Daily • Feb. 19, 2026

Who would have thought serums infused with snail mucin - the sticky substance they secrete - would become a part of skincare routines around the world?

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

After a snail mucus skin care boom in South Korea, the product—also referred to as snail mucin or secretion—was widely shared on social media.

From National Geographic • Jan. 8, 2024

One particular item took off — a snail mucin essence from popular Korean brand COSRX.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2023

This fibrillation of mucus is regarded as the result of a coagulation of its mucin, previously held in solution by an alkali.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023