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

Examples of enzyme in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The American Cleaning Institute says newer detergent enzymes work well in cold water. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

The American Cleaning Institute agrees, noting that newer detergent enzymes perform well in cold water and that some stains, including blood and makeup, are actually better treated cold because heat can set them. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Indeed, Anthropic said this past week that its Claude AI helped discover a new enzyme system with properties similar to the gene-editing technology CRISPR. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026

As Hamshaw explains it, the microorganisms used to make tempeh produce enzymes that begin breaking soybean proteins into smaller components during fermentation, including peptides and amino acids. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing enzyme

• angiotensin converting enzyme
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
• restriction enzyme

Rhymes for enzyme

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• nighttime
• noontime

Kids 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

ˌen-zə-ˈmat-ik

adjective

enzymatically

-ˈmat-i-k(ə-)lē

adverb

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