A triglyceride can be defined as

The triglycerides are esters of glycerol with long chain fatty acids. Fatty acids always have an even number of carbons and may be saturated e.g, palmitic acid (C₁₅H₃₁COOH) and stearic acid (C₁₇H₃₅COOH) or unsaturated e.g., oleic acid (C₁₇H₃₃COOH) and linolenic acid (C₁₇H₂₉COOH). The three fatty acids in triglycerides may be same or different. Fats are glycerides of saturated fatty acids e.g., triplamitin and tristearin. Oils contains unsaturated fatty acids e.g., tristearin. Oils contain unsaturated fatty acids e.g., triolein. a-oleo-b-palmito-a'- stearin is an example of mixed glyceride.