collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkä-lə-jən How to pronounce collagen (audio)
: any of a group of fibrous proteins that occur in vertebrates as the chief constituent of connective tissue fibrils and in bones and yield gelatin and glue upon boiling with water
collagenous
kə-ˈla-jə-nəs How to pronounce collagen (audio)
adjective

Examples of collagen 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.
Another option is taking oral collagen supplements, including collagen peptides and hydrolyzed collagen. — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025 Fuller, smoother lips as this peptide boosts collagen production, working with your skin’s natural repair process. — Siena Gagliano, Allure, 18 Mar. 2025 Estrogen supports tissue hydration and collagen production, but during menopause, its decline can cause dryness in mucous membranes, including the ears. — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 According to the National Library of Medicine, collagen peptides and hydrolyzed collagen have been broken down into smaller molecules so your body can more easily absorb them. — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for collagen

Word History

Etymology

Greek kolla + International Scientific Vocabulary -gen

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of collagen was circa 1865

Rhymes for collagen

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Browse Nearby Words

collage
collagen
collagenase
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Cite this Entry

“Collagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/collagen. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

collagen

noun
col·​la·​gen ˈkäl-ə-jən How to pronounce collagen (audio)
: a protein that occurs in the form of fibers, does not dissolve, is found in connective tissue, and forms glue and gelatin upon boiling with water

Medical Definition

collagen

noun
col·​la·​gen ˈkäl-ə-jən How to pronounce collagen (audio)
: an insoluble fibrous protein of vertebrates that is the chief constituent of the fibrils of connective tissue (as in skin and tendons) and of the organic substance of bones and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with water
collagenic
ˌkäl-ə-ˈjen-ik How to pronounce collagen (audio)
adjective
collagenous
kə-ˈlaj-ə-nəs How to pronounce collagen (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on collagen

Nglish: Translation of collagen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about collagen

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