Triglyceride

Naturally occurring lipid found in plants and animals, triglyceride is a chemical compound in which three molecules of a fatty acid are united by oxygen to one molecule of glycerol. Triglycerides function as stores of energy and are the chief components in most animal and vegetable fats and oils. Triglycerides are named according to fatty acid components, e.g. stearin is the triglyceride of stearic acid.