polypeptide

American  

[pol-ee-pep-tahyd, -tid] / ˌpɒl iˈpɛp taɪd, -tɪd /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds and having a molecular weight of up to about 10,000.

---

polypeptide British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈpɛptaɪd /

noun

1. any of a group of natural or synthetic polymers made up of amino acids chemically linked together; this class includes the proteins See also peptide

---

polypeptide Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-pĕp′tīd′ /

1. A peptide, such as a small protein, containing many molecules of amino acids, typically between 10 and 100.

---

Etymology

Origin of polypeptide

First recorded in 1900–05; poly- + peptide

Compare meaning

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

• peptide vs. polypeptide

Example Sentences

Retatrutide is a so-called triple hormone receptor agonist, which works by activating the body’s receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon, hormones that regulate blood sugar and digestion.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Glucose and insulin levels were measured, as were ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide -- hormones associated with the consumption of food.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2024

Meanwhile, when NS3pro detects a viral polypeptide to cut, it forces the complex into the closed conformation, becoming a protease.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

Tirzepatide targets a second hormone, called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, or GIP.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2023

Given the X-ray data, a large variety of possible three- dimensional configurations for the polypeptide chain were quickly discarded.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson