: 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 drug inhibits enzymes that, among other things, aid in the production of mucus that lines and protects the stomach lining — so without these enzymes, the stomach becomes vulnerable to irritation and damage.
—
Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
An acid such as lemon or vinegar will slow down the enzyme making the vapors that lead to tears.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024
The first was Amy, a diabetic mother whose A1C, cholesterol and liver enzymes have all reached normal levels since losing a significant amount of weight on Mounjaro.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
Think zinc In addition to increasing the output of white blood cells, zinc plays an active role in bolstering the immune system by activating enzymes that break down proteins found in viruses and bacteria.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2024
These antibodies, found in excess in most people with SPS, block the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, which is important to the production of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024
Hong, a professor in Yonsei University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, worked with colleagues to grow beef cells inside of rice grains coated in fish gelatin and familiar food-grade enzymes.
—Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
In the study, participants were given either 50 milligrams of zinc citrate and 3,000 PU of the enzyme phytase, 10 milligrams of zinc gluconate, or a placebo.4
Patients who took the zinc gluconate or placebo didn’t see any sort of difference in how long their Botox lasted.
—Korin Miller, Health, 26 Feb. 2024
According to Adigun, there are enzymes in your saliva that disrupt this moisture barrier.
—The Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2024
Melinda Wenner Moyer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024
An acid such as lemon or vinegar will slow down the enzyme making the vapors that lead to tears.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024
The first was Amy, a diabetic mother whose A1C, cholesterol and liver enzymes have all reached normal levels since losing a significant amount of weight on Mounjaro.
—Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2024
Think zinc In addition to increasing the output of white blood cells, zinc plays an active role in bolstering the immune system by activating enzymes that break down proteins found in viruses and bacteria.
—Georgia Day, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2024
These antibodies, found in excess in most people with SPS, block the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme, which is important to the production of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter.
—Jake Parks, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024
Hong, a professor in Yonsei University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, worked with colleagues to grow beef cells inside of rice grains coated in fish gelatin and familiar food-grade enzymes.
—Kelly Kasulis Cho, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2024
In the study, participants were given either 50 milligrams of zinc citrate and 3,000 PU of the enzyme phytase, 10 milligrams of zinc gluconate, or a placebo.4
Patients who took the zinc gluconate or placebo didn’t see any sort of difference in how long their Botox lasted.
—Korin Miller, Health, 26 Feb. 2024
According to Adigun, there are enzymes in your saliva that disrupt this moisture barrier.
—The Enquirer, 27 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enzyme.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near enzyme
Cite this Entry
“Enzyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enzyme. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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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