: any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures
Examples of enzyme in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The culprit is an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, or PPO, which is abundant in bananas.
—
Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Later, in the 1990s, Roizman’s meticulous work identifying the functions of many of HSV’s 84 genes uncovered an enzyme that became a key target for antiviral drug development.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The mechanism is an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, or PPO, abundant in bananas, which destroys flavanols both during blending and inside the stomach.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
This is when the enzymes in a fruit are exposed to the air, leading to an enzymatic reaction that results in the flesh of certain fruits turning brown.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enzyme
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Allison Palmer
updated June 13, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
Later, in the 1990s, Roizman’s meticulous work identifying the functions of many of HSV’s 84 genes uncovered an enzyme that became a key target for antiviral drug development.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026
The mechanism is an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase, or PPO, abundant in bananas, which destroys flavanols both during blending and inside the stomach.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
This is when the enzymes in a fruit are exposed to the air, leading to an enzymatic reaction that results in the flesh of certain fruits turning brown.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enzyme
Cite this Entry
“Enzyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enzyme. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
enzyme
noun
en·zyme
ˈen-ˌzīm 
: any of various complex proteins produced by living cells that bring about or speed up reactions (as in the digestion of food) without being permanently altered
enzymatic
adjective
ˌen-zə-ˈmat-ik
enzymatically
adverb
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē
Medical Definition
enzyme
noun
en·zyme
ˈen-ˌzīm
: any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures
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