phosphorylation

noun

phos·​phor·​y·​la·​tion ˌfäs-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the process of phosphorylating a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic phosphate

especially : the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes

Examples of phosphorylation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nonetheless, the study’s findings suggest that tau phosphorylation isn’t inherently harmful. —New Atlas, 30 June 2025

As the cell’s clean-up crew attempts to remove the clumps, a leading theory suggests that the abnormal tau induces phosphorylation in additional proteins leading to a cascade of neurodegeneration. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Tau phosphorylation is a crucial process related to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Ld, Clec, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023

The researchers then focused on a specific phosphorylation site and created a mutation that prevented it from being phosphorylated. —Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing phosphorylation

• oxidative phosphorylation

Rhymes for phosphorylation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

phosphorylation

noun

phos·​phor·​y·​la·​tion ˌfäs-ˌfȯr-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: the process of phosphorylating a chemical compound either by reaction with inorganic phosphate or by transfer of phosphate from another organic phosphate

especially : the enzymatic conversion of carbohydrates into their phosphoric esters in metabolic processes (as the conversion of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate by ATP and hexokinase)