catabolism
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.ca·tab·o·lism
noun \kə-ˈta-bə-ˌli-zəm\Definition of CATABOLISM
: degradative metabolism involving the release of energy and resulting in the breakdown of complex materials (as proteins or lipids) within the organism — compare anabolism
— cat·a·bol·ic \ˌka-tə-ˈbä-lik\ adjective
— cat·a·bol·i·cal·ly \-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See Origin of CATABOLISM
Greek katabolē throwing down, from kataballein to throw down, from kata- + ballein to throw — more at devil
First Known Use: 1876
ca·tab·o·lism
noun (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of CATABOLISM
: destructive metabolism involving the release of energy and resulting in the breakdown of complex materials within the organism—compare anabolism
Variants of CATABOLISM
ca·tab·o·lism also ka·tab·o·lism \kə-ˈtab-ə-ˌliz-əm\ (audio pronunciation)
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