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. )

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Compare meaning

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

• peptide vs. polypeptide

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peptide

According to the firm, before 2025, the gray-market peptide ecosystem was a niche and underground, averaging just $200,000 in monthly purchases done using cryptocurrencies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

To recreate the extinct antimicrobial peptide, Sil began by comparing lactoferrin gene sequences from living species such as humans and cows.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

It contains an antimicrobial peptide capable of damaging bacterial membranes, creating holes that can rupture the cells.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2026

A peptide is simply a short chain of amino acids, often used by the body as a message to do things like quiet inflammation or release insulin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 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

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