: any of a group of proteins especially of plants that are not antibodies and do not originate in an immune system but bind specifically to carbohydrate-containing receptors on cell surfaces (as of red blood cells)
Examples of lectin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These substances include lectins (in certain uncooked plants or beans), heavy metals, or other substances found in nature or food.21
Hernia: These are holes or weak spots in the walls of the tissues surrounding the abdomen.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
The good news: cooking legumes inactivates most lectins, Harvard notes.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024
Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, which can both contribute to the digestive issues.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2024
Specifically, soaking legumes reduces oxalate and lectin content more than cooking does.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
While lectins aren't considered to have great nutritional value, phytic acid does have antioxidant properties.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024
Cooking beans, Crumble Smith says, helps remove naturally occurring lectins and phytic acid, which can decrease the absorption of minerals like iron and calcium.
—USA TODAY, 30 July 2023
Be forewarned: The berries can’t be eaten raw, as the plant has lectin and cyanide in it, which can cause intense stomach and lower intestine issues.
—Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Red kidney beans have a high lectin content, and eating a raw handful can lead to a painful reaction.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2022
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.
Mark Gurarie, Health, 2 Nov. 2024
The good news: cooking legumes inactivates most lectins, Harvard notes.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 15 Oct. 2024
Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, which can both contribute to the digestive issues.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2024
Specifically, soaking legumes reduces oxalate and lectin content more than cooking does.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 1 Aug. 2024
While lectins aren't considered to have great nutritional value, phytic acid does have antioxidant properties.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024
Cooking beans, Crumble Smith says, helps remove naturally occurring lectins and phytic acid, which can decrease the absorption of minerals like iron and calcium.
—USA TODAY, 30 July 2023
Be forewarned: The berries can’t be eaten raw, as the plant has lectin and cyanide in it, which can cause intense stomach and lower intestine issues.
—Deanna Kizis, Sunset Magazine, 5 Apr. 2023
Red kidney beans have a high lectin content, and eating a raw handful can lead to a painful reaction.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 Sep. 2022
Dictionary Entries Near lectin
Cite this Entry
“Lectin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lectin. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
lectin
noun
lec·tin
ˈlek-tən 
: any of a group of proteins especially of plants that are not antibodies and do not originate in an immune system but bind specifically to carbohydrate-containing receptors on cell surfaces (as of red blood cells)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share