English · Word Candidate

gluten

/ˈɡluːtən/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: glutens

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The major protein in cereal grains, especially wheat; responsible for the elasticity in dough and the structure in baked bread.

Noun

Examples

Chew on a small piece of dough, and it becomes more compact but persists as a gum-like, elastic mass, the residue that the Chinese named “the muscle of flour” and that we call gluten. It consists mainly of protein, and includes what may well be the largest protein molecules to be found in the natura

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A gluey, sticky mass of clay, bitumen etc.

Noun

Examples

Despite constant rain that turned roads to gluten, the Yankees kept moving.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “gluten” mean?

The major protein in cereal grains, especially wheat; responsible for the elasticity in dough and the structure in baked bread.

Is “gluten” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.