kinase

noun

ki·​nase ˈkī-ˌnās 

-ˌnāz

: any of various enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups from a high-energy phosphate-containing molecule (such as ATP) to a substrate compare protein kinase

Examples of kinase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the past 20 years, cancer medicine has been revolutionized by an array of new treatments, ranging from monoclonal antibodies to novel immunotherapies like CAR T-cell therapy, and targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Such tests include: Troponin and creatinine kinase (CK-MB) are markers of heart damage (e.g., heart attack). —Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024

When there’s no pathogen present, the two kinases are bound together — thus the handcuffs analogy. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025

The muscle components that leak into the blood include potassium, phosphate, myoglobin, and creative kinase. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from kinetic

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing kinase

• creatine kinase
• protein kinase
• protein kinase C

Rhymes for kinase

• abase
• airspace
• apace
• backspace
• biface
• birthplace
• blackface
• boldface
• bookcase
• braincase
• briefcase
• carcase

Medical Definition

kinase

noun

ki·​nase ˈkī-ˌnās, -ˌnāz 

: any of various enzymes that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups from a high-energy phosphate-containing molecule (as ATP or ADP) to a substrate

called also phosphokinase