: a salt or ester of butyric acid

Examples of butyrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The main types of short chain fatty acids are acetate, propionate and butyrate. Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026 And butter contains butyrate, which has been studied for potential benefits to gut health. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 25 June 2026 Diets rich in diverse plant fiber promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and elevate production of short-chain fatty acids — molecules like butyrate that maintain gut barrier integrity, dampen systemic inflammation and support metabolic health. Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 These help signal satiety to the brain while producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate, which support gut barrier function, immune regulation and metabolic health. Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for butyrate

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of butyrate was in 1852

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Cite this Entry

“Butyrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butyrate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Medical Definition

: a salt or ester of butyric acid
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