amino acid

noun

: an amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH₂

especially : any of the various amino acids having the amino group in the alpha position that are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized by living cells or are obtained as essential components of the diet

Examples of amino acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kirkpatrick informed the Kowalskis that those suffering from CRPS often show elevated levels of glutamate, an amino acid, which can be inhibited by ketamine infusions. —Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

Honey contains mainy sugar along with amino acids, minerals ,and vitamins that give it antioxidant sand anti-inflammatory benefits. —Gillian Mohney, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2025

The implication is that amino acids are the end result of a pathway of chemical reactions that begin with the kinds of COMs discovered around ST6. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 7 Nov. 2025

May Help With Sleep Pumpkin seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid your body uses to make serotonin and melatonin. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for amino acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

amino acid

noun

ami·​no acid

ə-ˈmē-nō-

: any of numerous acids that include some which are the building blocks of proteins and are made by living cells from simpler compounds or are obtained in the diet

Medical Definition

amino acid

noun

: an amphoteric organic acid containing the amino group NH₂

especially : alpha-amino acid