phosphorylate

verb

phos·​phor·​y·​late fäs-ˈfȯr-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce phosphorylate (audio)
phosphorylated; phosphorylating

transitive verb

: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
phosphorylative adjective

Examples of phosphorylate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 In fact, two of the sites that were phosphorylated on this enzyme in cavefish are mutated in humans with glycogen-storage diseases. Viviane Callier, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2023

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

1928, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphorylate was in 1928

Dictionary Entries Near phosphorylate

Cite this Entry

“Phosphorylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphorylate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

phosphorylate

transitive verb
phos·​phor·​y·​late -ˌlāt How to pronounce phosphorylate (audio)
phosphorylated; phosphorylating
: to cause (an organic compound) to take up or combine with phosphoric acid or a phosphorus-containing group
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