xylan

noun

xy·lan ˈzī-ˌlan

: a yellow gummy pentosan that yields xylose on hydrolysis and is abundantly present in plant cell walls and woody tissue

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of xylan was circa 1894

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xyl-

xylan

Xylaria

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Xylan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/xylan. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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Medical Definition

xylan

noun

xy·lan ˈzī-ˌlan

: a yellow gummy pentosan that yields xylose on hydrolysis and is abundantly present in plant cell walls and woody tissue

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