enzyme

noun

en·​zyme ˈen-ˌzīm How to pronounce enzyme (audio)
: 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
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.
The luxe liquid exfoliates skin with tiny pieces of volcanic rock, eliminates garlic and onion odors with bread yeast enzymes, and softens hands with olive oil esters. Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025 Other methods use enzymes to isolate cells, but those procedures are time consuming and can threaten useful cell characteristics. Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025 Best of all, there was news of an experimental enzyme that had given Ben and his family hope. Nick Stern, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025 Buck shared the 2004 medicine prize for discoveries of odorant receptors and Blackburn shared the 2009 prize (with Carolyn Greider and Jack Szostak) for the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres and the enzyme telomerase. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enzyme

Word History

Etymology

German Enzym, from Middle Greek enzymos leavened, from Greek en- + zymē leaven — more at juice

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enzyme was in 1881

Cite this Entry

“Enzyme.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enzyme. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

enzyme

noun
en·​zyme ˈen-ˌzīm How to pronounce enzyme (audio)
: 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
ˌen-zə-ˈmat-ik
adjective
enzymatically
-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē
adverb

Medical Definition

enzyme

noun
en·​zyme ˈen-ˌzīm How to pronounce enzyme (audio)
: any of numerous complex proteins that are produced by living cells and catalyze specific biochemical reactions at body temperatures

More from Merriam-Webster on enzyme

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