peptide

American  

[pep-tahyd] / ˈpɛp taɪd /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a compound containing two or more amino acids in which the carboxyl group of one acid is linked to the amino group of the other.

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peptide British  

/ ˈpɛptaɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of compounds consisting of two or more amino acids linked by chemical bonding between their respective carboxyl and amino groups See also peptide bond polypeptide

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peptide Scientific  

/ pĕp′tīd′ /

1. A chemical compound that is composed of a chain of two or more amino acids and is usually smaller than a protein. The amino acids can be alike or different. Many hormones and antibiotics are peptides.

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Etymology

Origin of peptide

1905–10; pept(ic) + -ide ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does peptide compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• peptide vs. polypeptide

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peptide

These compounds differ from larger peptide medications such as semaglutide, which is used in well-known drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 25, 2026

One much smaller peptide produced an even more dramatic response.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026

Last year, two women became critically ill at a longevity conference in Las Vegas after they received peptide injections at a booth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

It’s also referred to as the delta sleep-inducing peptide.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Pauling had cracked the a-helix by ruthlessly following up his knowledge that the peptide bond was flat.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson