: a horny polysaccharide (C8H13NO5)n that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
Examples of chitin in a Sentence
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This particular structural form of chitin is thought to dissipate sound waves that could possibly cause cracking.
—
Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 22 Feb. 2025
Among these components were small peptides, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and molecules associated with chitin, the hard biomaterial of the caterpillars’ setae.
—Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Researchers developed a cheap and effective sponge-like filter to remove microplastics from water using cellulose fibers from cotton and chitin from squid exoskeletons.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The reason behind this practice is that worm castings contain an enzyme known as chitinase that breaks down chitin, the major constituent in the exoskeleton of many insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and leaf miners, as well as spider mites.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 10 Aug. 2024
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Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 22 Feb. 2025
Among these components were small peptides, enzymes, enzyme inhibitors and molecules associated with chitin, the hard biomaterial of the caterpillars’ setae.
—Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
Researchers developed a cheap and effective sponge-like filter to remove microplastics from water using cellulose fibers from cotton and chitin from squid exoskeletons.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The reason behind this practice is that worm castings contain an enzyme known as chitinase that breaks down chitin, the major constituent in the exoskeleton of many insects, including whiteflies, aphids, and leaf miners, as well as spider mites.
—Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 10 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for chitin
Cite this Entry
“Chitin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chitin. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
chitin
noun
chi·tin
ˈkīt-ᵊn 
: a horny substance that forms part of the hard outer body covering especially of insects and crustaceans
Medical Definition
chitin
noun
chi·tin
ˈkīt-ᵊn
: a horny polysaccharide that forms part of the hard outer integument especially of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans
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