cofactor

noun

co·​fac·​tor ˈkō-ˌfak-tər 

1

: the signed minor of an element of a square matrix or of a determinant with the sign positive if the sum of the column number and row number of the element is even and with the sign negative if it is odd

2

: a substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects

especially : coenzyme

3

: something (such as diet or a virus) that acts with or aids another factor in causing disease

Examples of cofactor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Add Collagen-Boosting Foods Incorporating foods that naturally contain collagen or its building blocks (cofactors) into your diet is an easy way to boost the effects of your collagen supplement. — Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026

Think of phytic acid as a metabolic cofactor. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

Shapiro explains that supplementing with bioactive collagen, along with cofactors, cellular energy support, and a network of antioxidants, may be an effective strategy to counteract some of these midlife processes. — Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 29 May 2026

The scientists put enzymes and helper molecules that aid in chemical reactions, called cofactors, on to these electrodes. — New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cofactor

• attractor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor
• reactor
• redactor
• refractor
• retractor

Medical Definition

cofactor

noun

co·​fac·​tor ˈkō-ˌfak-tər 

1

: a substance that acts with another substance to bring about certain effects

especially : coenzyme

2

: something (as a diet or virus) that acts with or aids another factor in causing disease

Infection with the HPV virus is an important cofactor in cervical cancer, but very few people infected with HPV will ever get cervical cancer.

—Elissa Mendenhall, Mothering