gluten

/ˈglutn/

/ˈglutən/

Other forms: glutens

Gluten is a protein that's found in some grains, such as wheat. It's the gluten in wheat that makes bread dough strong and stretchy.

If you've ever kneaded dough for cinnamon rolls, or stretched pizza dough into a large circle, you know how elastic the combination of yeast, sugar, flour, and water comes to feel. People who are allergic or sensitive to gluten avoid eating grains that contain it, but those who aren't bothered by gluten enjoy the chewy texture of homemade wheat bread. In Latin, gluten means "glue."

Definitions of gluten

1. noun

   a protein substance that remains when starch is removed from cereal grains; gives cohesiveness to dough
   types:

   corn gluten

   gluten prepared from corn

   wheat gluten

   gluten prepared from wheat

   type of:

   protein

   any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes