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

Using advanced circuit tracing techniques, the team discovered that the two peptide hormones responsible for regulating growth hormone release behave differently depending on the stage of sleep.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026

Protocole, a new peptide telehealth company founded in 2025, announced in April it raised a $6 million investment round.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

Among so-called peptide users, often people involved in the fitness or looksmaxxing communities, off-label use of retatrutide has become popular.

From MarketWatch ● May 21, 2026

In the US, the FDA is considering easing restrictions on the use of peptide injections after Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr pushed to have the therapies deregulated.

From BBC ● May 20, 2026

Moreover, he was privy to a discussion in which the fundamental blunder about the shape of the peptide bond was made.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson