metabolite

noun

me·​tab·​o·​lite mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīt How to pronounce metabolite (audio)
1
: a product of metabolism
2
: a substance essential to the metabolism of a particular organism or to a particular metabolic process

Examples of metabolite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Share [Findings] Humboldt penguins who nest in the open have more pollutant metabolites in their blood than do penguins who nest in guano-rich burrows. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Bennett said the toxicology report indicated his client's blood was positive for nicotine and marijuana metabolites. The Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2024 One such compound is lipofuscin, a metabolite that increases in the retina as a person ages. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 The presence of these metabolites can vary from person to person depending on their individual metabolism. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 23 July 2023 Sweat contains trace amounts of various toxins present in our bodies, including metabolites of delta 8. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 July 2023 Moreover, oral aspartame studies have found that plasma concentrations of those common metabolites do not increase above normal levels after aspartame consumption. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 17 July 2023 Glia themselves can also become stressed by genetic problems, exposure to metabolites from the microbiome, bad diet, or other factors. Yasemin Saplakoglu, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2024 Any drug screening method should not test for the presence of nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites unless required by federal or state law or regulations. Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'metabolite.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of metabolite was in 1877

Dictionary Entries Near metabolite

Cite this Entry

“Metabolite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metabolite. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

metabolite

noun
me·​tab·​o·​lite mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīt How to pronounce metabolite (audio)
1
: a substance produced by metabolism
2
: a substance essential to a process of metabolism

Medical Definition

metabolite

noun
me·​tab·​o·​lite -ˌlīt How to pronounce metabolite (audio)
1
: a product of metabolism:
a
: a metabolic waste usually more or less toxic to the organism producing it : excretion
b
: a product of one metabolic process that is essential to another such process in the same organism
c
: a metabolic waste of one organism that is markedly toxic to another : antibiotic
2
: a substance essential to the metabolism of a particular organism or to a particular metabolic process

More from Merriam-Webster on metabolite

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