amylase

noun

am·​y·​lase ˈa-mə-ˌlās 

-ˌlāz

: any of a group of enzymes (such as amylopsin) that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen or their intermediate hydrolysis products

Examples of amylase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the exact mechanism by which salivary amylase interacts with starch to change the oral microbiome and increase the risk of disease has not been clear. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Without amylase, humans would not be able to digest foods such as potatoes, pasta, rice or bread. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

But why did early humans—who primarily ate a carnivorous diet—have the amylase gene? —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024

New research indicates that early duplications of the salivary amylase gene (AMY1) may have started more than 800,000 years ago, long before humans began to farm. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Oct. 2024

It’s also infused with digestive enzymes—including amylase and lactase—that stave off bloating. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024

All in the amylase Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch into glucose that the body can use for fuel. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Oct. 2024

Reconstruction of the human amylase locus reveals ancient duplications seeding modern-day variation Postdoctoral Associate with the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024

According to the team, these initial duplications in our genomes were what laid the foundation for major variations in the amylase region. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amylase

• aldolase
• alleyways
• anaphase
• anhydrase
• anyways
• arginase
• cabarets
• carriageways
• castaways
• catalase
• cellulase
• dismutase

Kids Definition

amylase

noun

am·​y·​lase ˈam-ə-ˌlās 

-lāz

: an enzyme that speeds up the digestion of starch or glycogen

called also diastase

Medical Definition

amylase

noun

am·​y·​lase ˈam-ə-ˌlās, -ˌlāz 

: any of a group of enzymes (as amylopsin) that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen or their intermediate hydrolysis products