noun
lipid
LIP-id/ˈlɪpɪd/
A fatlike biological molecule that does not dissolve in water.
The oil, beeswax, and cooking fat contain lipids that do not dissolve in water.
Etymology
Greek lipos supplies the idea of fat, while the chemical ending makes a substance name. The term covers the broader fat group, including oils and waxes, rather than only solid fat.
In context
fat prone to oxidation. Here's a resulting oxidation product found in lamb meat that consumers identified as a "sweet, oily aroma." Of course, another name for lipid oxidation is rancidity.
More examples
- Cell membranes contain lipids that help form a protective barrier.
- The lab measures lipid levels in a blood sample.
- Your body stores energy in lipids for later use.
Forms
lipid · lipids