methylate

verb

meth·​yl·​ate ˈme-thə-ˌlāt How to pronounce methylate (audio)
methylated; methylating

transitive verb

: to introduce the methyl radical into
methylator noun

Examples of methylate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web How cells get their cues to methylate or demethylate DNA, though, is still fuzzy. Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011 High levels of stress experienced in early life can methylate the key gene that controls this stress system. Daniel P. Keating, Scientific American, 5 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'methylate.' 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

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methylate was in 1852

Dictionary Entries Near methylate

Cite this Entry

“Methylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methylate. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.

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