essential amino acid

noun

: any of various amino acids that are required for normal health and growth in many vertebrates, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine compare nonessential amino acid

Examples of essential amino acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plant proteins also contain essential amino acids, but some may have lower amounts of certain amino acids. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2026

Branched-Chain Amino Acids Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids that your body doesn't naturally make. —Kirstyn Hill, Health, 27 Feb. 2026

Like soybeans, lupins contain all nine essential amino acids. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 15 Feb. 2026

When dried and ground, the root of this vegetable provides nutritional benefits, such as essential amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium and zinc. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for essential amino acid

• antacid
• placid

Kids Definition

essential amino acid

noun

: an amino acid that is necessary for proper growth of the animal body and that cannot be made by the body in sufficient amounts but must be obtained from food containing proteins

Medical Definition

essential amino acid

noun

: any of various alpha-amino acids that are required for normal health and growth, are either not manufactured in the body or manufactured in insufficient quantities, are usually supplied by dietary protein, and in humans include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine