polypeptide

noun

poly·​pep·​tide ˌpä-lē-ˈpep-ˌtīd How to pronounce polypeptide (audio)
: a molecular chain of amino acids
polypeptidic
ˌpä-lē-(ˌ)pep-ˈti-dik How to pronounce polypeptide (audio)
adjective

Examples of polypeptide 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.
It’s formulated with B-silk, a polypeptide designed to emulate strong spider silk, plus rice protein and panthenol to keep the lash line nourished and healthy. — Genevieve Cepeda, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026 For years, researchers have unsuccessfully tried to harness these polypeptides’ antifreezing properties, but directly extracting the compounds from fish is simply too costly and not scalable. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025 Rising ingredient trends like polypeptide and biocellulose signal a preference among consumers for advanced skincare technologies and materials. — Vogue Business Team, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2025 These polypeptides then fold into complex three-dimensional structures called proteins, driven by a combination of hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds and electrostatic forces between atoms along the chain. — Kj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for polypeptide

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polypeptide was in 1903

Rhymes for polypeptide

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Browse Nearby Words

Polypedatidae
polypeptide
polypetal
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

polypeptide

noun
poly·​pep·​tide ˌpäl-i-ˈpep-ˌtīd How to pronounce polypeptide (audio)
: a molecular chain of amino acids
polypeptidic
-(ˌ)pep-ˈtid-ik How to pronounce polypeptide (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on polypeptide

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polypeptide

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