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

Retatrutide, which is a peptide like most GLP-1–based drugs, is commonly referred to as “reta” or “ratatouille” online.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

FDA staff who spoke at the two-day meeting advised against peptide compounding, saying there was not enough safety data to justify the move.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

The researchers then engineered the bean gum to contain protegrin, an antimicrobial peptide capable of killing harmful bacteria.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 4, 2026

The 32-year-old is one of 54,000 consumers listed in a case against a multimillion-pound peptide company based in the US, which sold its products around the world.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 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