: any of various glycolipids found especially in nerve tissue

Word History

Etymology

cerebrose galactose

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cerebroside was in 1883

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cerebroside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cerebroside. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

: any of various lipids composed of ceramide and a monosaccharide and found especially in the myelin sheath of nerves

More from Merriam-Webster on cerebroside

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!