liposome

noun

li·​po·​some ˈlī-pə-ˌsōm How to pronounce liposome (audio) ˈli- How to pronounce liposome (audio)
: an artificial vesicle composed of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers and used especially to deliver microscopic substances (such as drugs or DNA) to body cells
liposomal
ˌlī-pə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce liposome (audio) ˌli- How to pronounce liposome (audio)
adjective

Examples of liposome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once trained, half the birds were injected with clodronate liposomes to deplete macrophages in the liver, while the other half served as a control group. — ArsTechnica, 28 May 2026 This liquid encapsulates the power of glutathione in teeny tiny nano liposomes—less than 100nm—which the brand says is even more easily absorbed by your body. — Brianna Peters, Vogue, 21 Feb. 2026 Here, microfluidic mixers or parallel T-junctions combine the mRNA with lipid-in-water to form uniform liposomes. — Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025 The simple difference between liposomal vitamin C and regular vitamin C is that liposomes help absorb it better into your tissues. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for liposome

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of liposome was in 1968

Rhymes for liposome

See All Rhymes for liposome

Browse Nearby Words

lipositol
liposome
liposuction
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Cite this Entry

“Liposome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liposome. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

liposome

noun
li·​po·​some ˈlip-ə-ˌsōm How to pronounce liposome (audio) ˈlī-pə- How to pronounce liposome (audio)
1
: one of the fatty droplets in the cytoplasm of a cell
2
: an artificial vesicle that is composed of one or more concentric phospholipid bilayers and is used especially to deliver microscopic substances (as DNA or drugs) to body cells
liposomal
ˌlip-ə-ˈsō-məl How to pronounce liposome (audio) ˌlī-pə- How to pronounce liposome (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on liposome

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about liposome

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