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: a soluble weakly basic nitrogenous compound CO(NH2)2 that is the chief solid component of mammalian urine and an end product of protein decomposition, is synthesized from carbon dioxide and ammonia, and is used especially in synthesis (as of resins and plastics) and in fertilizers and animal rations
Examples of urea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For chemical abrasion, exfoliants like urea or salicylic acid are effective yet gentle.
—Lacey Muinos, Verywell Health, 24 Apr. 2024
Due to its strategic location, Baltimore serves as a pivotal coastal port for distributing urea ammonium nitrate to key agricultural regions.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Extra protein is eliminated through urea, a component of urine.
—Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2024
The mix of retinol, urea, lactic and glycolic acid is great for exfoliating, smoothing, and evening out my body's skin tone.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2024
Blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, the amount of the waste product urea your kidneys help remove from your blood.
—Brad Reisfeld, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2024
Boakye recommends moisturizers with ingredients like shea butter, glycerin, and urea.
—Essence, 8 Jan. 2024
Some types of crab spiders and the giant swallowtail caterpillar also sport white spots and are thought to be emulating the pasty-white urea component of bird excrement.
—Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 13 Dec. 2023
Urinary osmolality measures how much chloride, potassium, sodium, and urea are in your urine.
Urodynamics: This is a set of tests examining how well your bladder and urethra work.
—Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from French urée, from urine
First Known Use
1806, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing urea
Dictionary Entries Near urea
Cite this Entry
“Urea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urea. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
urea
noun
: a soluble nitrogen-containing compound that is the chief solid substance in the urine of mammals and is an end product of protein breakdown
Medical Definition
urea
noun
: a soluble weakly basic nitrogenous compound CH4N2O that is the chief solid component of mammalian urine and an end product of protein decomposition and that is administered intravenously as a diuretic drug
called also carbamide
More from Merriam-Webster on urea
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about urea
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