: any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures
Examples of enzyme in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Magnesium improves the activity of serotonin N-acetyltransferase, an enzyme necessary for melatonin production.4
How To Take Melatonin and Magnesium for Sleep
Melatonin is safe in doses of up to 8 milligrams for up to six months in adults.
—
Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 10 Mar. 2025
Pineapple Pineapple is a sweet fruit that contains an enzyme called bromelain.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2025
Worm castings owe their pest control capacity to chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down chitin, an integral constituent of insect exoskeletons, fungus cell walls, and nematode eggshells.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
This enzyme helps regulate how fat tissue responds to glucocorticoids (a type of catabolic hormone).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enzyme
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Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 10 Mar. 2025
Pineapple Pineapple is a sweet fruit that contains an enzyme called bromelain.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2025
Worm castings owe their pest control capacity to chitinase, an enzyme that breaks down chitin, an integral constituent of insect exoskeletons, fungus cell walls, and nematode eggshells.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2025
This enzyme helps regulate how fat tissue responds to glucocorticoids (a type of catabolic hormone).
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enzyme
Cite this Entry
“Enzyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enzyme. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enzyme
noun
en·zyme
ˈen-ˌzīm 
: any of various complex proteins produced by living cells that bring about or speed up reactions (as in the digestion of food) without being permanently altered
enzymatic
adjective
ˌen-zə-ˈmat-ik
enzymatically
adverb
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
enzyme
noun
en·zyme
ˈen-ˌzīm
: any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures
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