: a coenzyme C21H27N7O14P2 of numerous dehydrogenases that occurs in most cells and plays an important role in all phases of intermediary metabolism as an oxidizing agent or when in the reduced form as a reducing agent for various metabolites

called also nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, diphosphopyridine nucleotide, DPN

Word History

Etymology

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

First Known Use

circa 1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of NAD was circa 1962

Dictionary Entries Near NAD

Cite this Entry

“NAD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/NAD. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

NAD

1 of 2 noun
: a coenzyme C21H27N7O14P2 of numerous dehydrogenases that occurs in most cells and plays an important role in all phases of intermediary metabolism as an oxidizing agent or when in the reduced form as a reducing agent for various metabolites

called also diphosphopyridine nucleotide, DPN, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NAD

2 of 2 abbreviation
no appreciable disease
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