inositol

noun

ino·​si·​tol i-ˈnō-sə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce inositol (audio)
ī-ˈnō-,
-ˌtōl How to pronounce inositol (audio)
: any of several crystalline stereoisomeric cyclic alcohols C6H12O6
especially : myoinositol

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Among the more than two dozen ingredients in the kangaroo formula: biotin, choline, inositol, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, iodine and selenium. Serena Solomon, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2018 Sodium makes up the Stanford battery’s cathode, and the anode is made from phosphorus, with the addition of a compound called myo-inositol, which can be derived from rice bran or corn. Irina Slav, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2017 The animals lack the gene for an enzyme called inositol hexakisphosphate kinase 1 (IP6K1), which is known to play a role in fat accumulation and insulin sensitivity. Emma Yasinski, Science | AAAS, 5 Sep. 2017

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

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from inosite inositol, from Greek in-, is sinew + International Scientific Vocabulary -ose entry 2 + -ite entry 1

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inositol was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near inositol

Cite this Entry

“Inositol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inositol. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

inositol

noun
ino·​si·​tol in-ˈō-sə-ˌtȯl How to pronounce inositol (audio) ī-ˈnō- How to pronounce inositol (audio)
-ˌtōl
: any of several crystalline stereoisomeric cyclic alcohols C6H12O6
especially : myoinositol

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