collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkä-lə-jən 

: 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 

adjective

Examples of collagen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the idea of rolling hundreds of tiny needles over your skin may sound like something out of a horror movie, dermatologists say the best derma rollers (the at-home version of professional microneedling) can help boost collagen production and improve skin texture. —Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024

However, these products don’t contain actual collagen but rather precursors like vitamin C that help the body produce its own collagen, Hultin explained. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024

By harnessing the power of Golden Drop Longevity Technology (read more about that here), the cream helps your skin at the cellular level by boosting collagen production and reducing oxidative stress. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024

Introduce this cream into your evening skincare routine, and the retinol will assist with skin renewal and collagen production overnight. —Felicity Carter, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek kolla + International Scientific Vocabulary -gen

First Known Use

circa 1865, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

collagen

noun

col·​la·​gen ˈkäl-ə-jən 

: 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 

: 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 

adjective

collagenous

kə-ˈlaj-ə-nəs 

adjective