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phospholipid

[ fos-foh-lip-id ]
/ ˌfɒs foʊˈlɪp ɪd /
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noun Biochemistry.
any of a group of fatty compounds, as lecithin, composed of phosphoric esters, and occurring in living cells.
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Also called phosphatide, phos·pho·lip·ide [fos-foh-lip-ahyd], /ˌfɒs foʊˈlɪp aɪd/, phos·pho·lip·in [fos-foh-lip-in]. /ˌfɒs foʊˈlɪp ɪn/.

Origin of phospholipid

First recorded in 1925–30; phospho- + lipid
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use phospholipid in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phospholipid

phospholipid
/ (ˌfɒsfəˈlɪpɪd) /

noun
any of a group of compounds composed of fatty acids, phosphoric acid, and a nitrogenous base: important constituents of all membranesAlso called: phosphatide
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

Scientific definitions for phospholipid

phospholipid
[ fŏs′fō-lĭpĭd ]

Any of various phosphorus-containing lipids, such as lecithin, that are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule such as glycerol. Phospholipids are the main lipids in cell membranes.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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