: 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
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People whose ancestors ate a lot of endosperm have extra copies of the genes that make starch‑digesting enzymes.
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Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Each textured pad is soaked in a mix of lactic acid (a gentle AHA) and enzyme exfoliants like papain (natural enzymes extracted from raw, unripe papaya) to dissolve dead skin, while the pad itself adds a bit of physical exfoliation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Mar. 2026
These amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine – collectively necessary for building muscle, producing enzymes and hormones and maintaining healthy tissue.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Sexy little spears of Green Asparagus (there’s also white and purple varieties) spring’s top stalk option, high in folates and digestive enzymes, elevate every plate (just pinch your nose when nature calls later).
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
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Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Each textured pad is soaked in a mix of lactic acid (a gentle AHA) and enzyme exfoliants like papain (natural enzymes extracted from raw, unripe papaya) to dissolve dead skin, while the pad itself adds a bit of physical exfoliation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Mar. 2026
These amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine – collectively necessary for building muscle, producing enzymes and hormones and maintaining healthy tissue.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Sexy little spears of Green Asparagus (there’s also white and purple varieties) spring’s top stalk option, high in folates and digestive enzymes, elevate every plate (just pinch your nose when nature calls later).
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 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 26 Mar. 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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