casein

noun

ca·​sein ˈkā-ˌsēn How to pronounce casein (audio)
kā-ˈsēn
: a phosphoprotein of milk: such as
a
: one that is precipitated from milk by heating with an acid or by the action of lactic acid in souring and is used in making paints and adhesives
b
: one that is produced when milk is curdled by rennet, is the chief constituent of cheese, and is used in making plastics

Examples of casein in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the bacteria produce lactic acid, the milk becomes more acidic, which causes its proteins — called casein — to stop floating freely and link together into a microscopic network. Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 May 2026 That shift triggers casein proteins, which normally float freely, to link into a microscopic network that traps water, fat and nutrients. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2026 Those trials examined the effectiveness of different types of protein (whey, milk, casein, collagen, meat, soy, rice, oat, and dietary protein) in combination with and separate from physical exercise (resistance training, aerobic exercise, and multicomponent training). Malissa Rodenburg, Health, 15 May 2026 Meanwhile, casein is a slow-digesting protein but provides a sustained release of amino acids into the blood sugar. Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for casein

Word History

Etymology

probably from French caséine, from Latin caseus cheese

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of casein was in 1823

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Casein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/casein. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

casein

noun
ca·​sein ˈkā-ˌsēn How to pronounce casein (audio)
kā-ˈsēn
1
: a phosphorus-containing protein that is separated from milk especially by the action of acid that is used in making paints and adhesives
2
: a phosphorus-containing protein that is produced when milk is made to form curds by rennet, that makes up a major part of cheese, and that is used in making plastics

Medical Definition

casein

noun
: any of several phosphoproteins of milk: as
a
: one that occurs as a colloidal suspension in milk

called also caseinogen

b
: one that is produced when milk is curdled by rennet, is the chief constituent of cheese, and is used in making plastics

called also paracasein

More from Merriam-Webster on casein

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster