methylate
verb
meth·yl·ate
ˈme-thə-ˌlāt 
methylated; methylating
: to introduce the methyl radical into
Examples of methylate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Third – and this is the key stimulating effect for methylating bacteria – subalpine wetlands receive excess sulfate from warming alpine areas in elevations above them.
—
Eve-Lyn Hinckley, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2025
In unaffected mice, this on-switch was either partly methylated (in unaffected pre-conception obesity mice) or fully methylated and switched off (in controls).
—New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025
The key regions for imprinting are methylated differently in males and females, which influences nearby gene activity and can be maintained throughout all of embryonic development.
—ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
High levels of stress experienced in early life can methylate the key gene that controls this stress system.
—Daniel P. Keating, Scientific American, 5 May 2017
How cells get their cues to methylate or demethylate DNA, though, is still fuzzy.
—Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Eve-Lyn Hinckley, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2025
In unaffected mice, this on-switch was either partly methylated (in unaffected pre-conception obesity mice) or fully methylated and switched off (in controls).
—New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025
The key regions for imprinting are methylated differently in males and females, which influences nearby gene activity and can be maintained throughout all of embryonic development.
—ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
High levels of stress experienced in early life can methylate the key gene that controls this stress system.
—Daniel P. Keating, Scientific American, 5 May 2017
How cells get their cues to methylate or demethylate DNA, though, is still fuzzy.
—Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2011
Cite this Entry
“Methylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/methylate. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share