metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīz 

metabolized; metabolizing

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism

metabolizable

mə-ˌta-bə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Examples of metabolize in a Sentence

Food is metabolized by the body.

Recent Examples on the Web

Factors including age, medications, genetics and how quickly the body metabolizes caffeine can all influence an individual's tolerance and risk. — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026

People can respond very differently to caffeine based on various factors, such as age, medications, underlying health conditions, genetics, and how quickly their bodies metabolize it. — Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 July 2026

Individual complaints were too easy to metabolize, to redirect into the bureaucracy. — Claire Stapleton, New Yorker, 18 July 2026

For many years, patients were told products like Juvéderm or Restylane would metabolize and vanish in six to 18 months. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

metabol(ic) or metabol(ism) + -ize

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for metabolize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīz 

metabolized; metabolizing

: to break down by metabolism

food is metabolized by the body

Medical Definition

metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize

variants also British metabolise

-ˌlīz 

metabolized also British metabolised; metabolizing also British metabolising

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism

metabolizer noun

also British metaboliser

-ˌlī-zər