lecithin
noun
lec·i·thin ˈle-sə-thən 
: any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids that are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties
also : a mixture of or substance rich in lecithins
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Cool Science: The mustard contains lecithin, an emulsifier. 
Jamie Kiffel-alcheh, National Geographic, 20 May 2020 Other types of emollients include lecithin, isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate. Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020 The problem was discovered when the firm’s seasoning supplier notified them that the proprietary seasoning, which is not supposed to contain soy, actually contains soy lecithin. Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 30 Nov. 2019 Including soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and additives like soy lecithin· Dairy. Molly Kimball, nola.com, 18 June 2019 The ingredients listed on the packaging are: unbleached enriched flour, sugar, palm and/or canola oil, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, leavening, corn starch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, and unsweetened chocolate. Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2018 However, the price of the golden almond has led to the watering down of milks, with manufacturers relying instead on thickening agents like carrageenan and emulsifiers like lecithin. Grace Dickinson, Philly.com, 13 Feb. 2018 More significant than the Diggers, perhaps, was a tiny vitamin-and-lecithin store that Fred Rohé took over in the Inner Sunset in 1965. Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan. 2018 The reason the drops mix so seamlessly into any formula (and then onto your skin) is because the pigments are coated with lecithin, which is biochemically similar to the skin. Carly Cardellino, Cosmopolitan, 21 Dec. 2015 See More
Jamie Kiffel-alcheh, National Geographic, 20 May 2020 Other types of emollients include lecithin, isopropyl myristate and isopropyl palmitate. Nia Decaille, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2020 The problem was discovered when the firm’s seasoning supplier notified them that the proprietary seasoning, which is not supposed to contain soy, actually contains soy lecithin. Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 30 Nov. 2019 Including soy sauce, miso, tofu, tempeh, edamame, and additives like soy lecithin· Dairy. Molly Kimball, nola.com, 18 June 2019 The ingredients listed on the packaging are: unbleached enriched flour, sugar, palm and/or canola oil, cocoa, high fructose corn syrup, leavening, corn starch, salt, soy lecithin, vanillin, and unsweetened chocolate. Jamie Ballard, Good Housekeeping, 15 Feb. 2018 However, the price of the golden almond has led to the watering down of milks, with manufacturers relying instead on thickening agents like carrageenan and emulsifiers like lecithin. Grace Dickinson, Philly.com, 13 Feb. 2018 More significant than the Diggers, perhaps, was a tiny vitamin-and-lecithin store that Fred Rohé took over in the Inner Sunset in 1965. Jonathan Kauffman, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Jan. 2018 The reason the drops mix so seamlessly into any formula (and then onto your skin) is because the pigments are coated with lecithin, which is biochemically similar to the skin. Carly Cardellino, Cosmopolitan, 21 Dec. 2015 See More Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary, from Greek lekithos yolk of an egg
First Known Use
1861, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
lecithin
noun
lec·i·thin ˈles-ə-thən
: any of several waxy hygroscopic phospholipids in which phosphatidic acid has formed an ester with choline and which are widely distributed in animals and plants, form colloidal solutions in water, and have emulsifying, wetting, and antioxidant properties
also : a mixture of or a substance rich in lecithins
called also phosphatidylcholine