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essential amino acid
noun
: any of various amino acids that are required for normal health and growth in many vertebrates, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine compare nonessential amino acid
Examples of essential amino acid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Plus, as a complete protein source, edamame provides all the essential amino acids your body needs.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 July 2024
This bean has more protein than any other plant source on the planet and contains all of the essential amino acids.
—Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 9 Aug. 2024
The protein source in this bar comes from soy protein isolate—a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids—ones that your body cannot produce on its own.
—Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Rd, Health, 9 Aug. 2024
Check the source of protein; options like whey, casein, pea, and hemp protein are considered high-quality and provide essential amino acids needed for muscle recovery.
—Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Rd, Health, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for essential amino acid
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'essential amino acid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1911, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of essential amino acid was
in 1911
Dictionary Entries Near essential amino acid
Cite this Entry
“Essential amino acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essential%20amino%20acid. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
essential amino acid
noun
: an amino acid that is necessary for proper growth of the animal body and that cannot be made by the body in sufficient amounts but must be obtained from food containing proteins
Medical Definition
essential amino acid
noun
: any of various alpha-amino acids that are required for normal health and growth, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and in humans include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine
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