metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīz 

metabolized; metabolizing

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism

metabolizable

mə-ˌta-bə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Examples of metabolize in a Sentence

Food is metabolized by the body.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many methanotrophs are jam-packed with pMMO, which performs the first step of metabolizing the gas. —Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025

The poppy seeds and leopard spots, meantime, resemble markings left behind by metabolizing microbes on Earth. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 Sep. 2025

Scientists already knew that a high-fat diet (HFD) interfered with how the brain metabolizes its primary fuel, glucose (sugar). —New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025

Fermentation is a natural process in which bacteria metabolize sugars. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

metabol(ic) or metabol(ism) + -ize

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for metabolize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīz 

metabolized; metabolizing

: to break down by metabolism

food is metabolized by the body

Medical Definition

metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize

variants also British metabolise

-ˌlīz 

metabolized also British metabolised; metabolizing also British metabolising

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism

metabolizer noun

also British metaboliser

-ˌlī-zər