phospholipid

[ fos-foh-lip-id ]
/ ˌfɒs foʊˈlɪp ɪd /

noun Biochemistry.

any of a group of fatty compounds, as lecithin, composed of phosphoric esters, and occurring in living cells.
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

Words nearby phospholipid

phosphodiesterase, phosphoenolpyruvic acid, phosphoglyceride, phosphohexose isomerase deficiency, phospholipase, phospholipid, phospholipid bilayer, phosphomutase, phosphonecrosis, phosphonic acid, phosphonium

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 membranes Also called: phosphatide

Medical definitions for phospholipid

phospholipid
[ fŏs′fō-lĭp′ĭd ]

n.

Any of various phosphorous-containing lipids that are composed mainly of fatty acids, a phosphate group, and a simple organic molecule. phosphatide

Scientific definitions for phospholipid

phospholipid
[ fŏs′fō-lĭp′ĭd ]

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.