glutamate

noun glu·ta·mate \ ˈglü-tə-ˌmāt \

Updated on: 12 May 2018

Definition of glutamate

: a salt or ester of glutamic acid; specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter — compare monosodium glutamate

Recent Examples of glutamate from the Web

Skolnick's research again implicated the glutamate system.

— moises velasquez-manoff, WIRED, "Ketamine Stirs Up Hope—and Controversy—as a Depression Drug," 8 May 2018
Ketamine does not directly influence the same chemical messengers as standard antidepressants such as serotonin but rather works via interaction with another chemical, glutamate—not usually associated with mood but rather with brain plasticity.

— simon makin, Scientific American, "Getting the Inside Dope on Ketamine’s Mysterious Ability to Rapidly Relieve Depression," 2 Mar. 2018
Using optogenetics, Creed was able to harness the neurotransmitter glutamate to reverse the brain changes that happen in addiction.

— carrie wells, baltimoresun.com, "After reversing cocaine addiction in mice, University of Maryland researcher turns to opioids," 1 Sep. 2017
Umami Burger, with locations all over L.A., specializes in ingredients have been carefully selected to optimize our response to glutamate.

— steffi victorioso, Los Angeles Magazine, "Every Burger at Umami Burger, Ranked," 23 Oct. 2017
With all these ingredients, this burger has supreme levels of glutamate.

— steffi victorioso, Los Angeles Magazine, "Every Burger at Umami Burger, Ranked," 23 Oct. 2017
The Caesar salad is particularly good, topped with white anchovies and Parmesan cheese (talk about glutamates).

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Greater Cincinnati's new best pizza is in Fort Mitchell: 🍕🍕🍕🍕," 18 Oct. 2017
Enzymes break down its muscle fibers, softening its flesh and releasing the amino acid glutamate.

— joseph hincks / hong kong, Time, "This Is How It Feels to Eat 13-Year-Old Steak," 30 Aug. 2017
Fact is, monosodium glutamate is a naturally-occurring substance in lots of foods, including mushrooms, tomatoes, dry-aged meat, soy sauce, and Parmesan.

— carla lalli music, Bon Appetit, "Give MSG a Chance—Really," 23 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glutamate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of glutamate

1876

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

glutamate

noun glu·ta·mate \ ˈglüt-ə-ˌmāt \

medical Definition of glutamate

: a salt or ester of glutamic acid; specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter — see monosodium glutamate

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glutamate

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glutamate

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