SINCE 1828
methylation
noun
meth·yl·a·tion
| \ ˌme-thə-ˈlā-shən
\
\
Definition of methylation
: the introduction of a methyl radical into a substance
The methylation of metals (that is, the substitution of a metal atom for the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group of a methyl alcohol molecule) can result in the metal's becoming volatile.— Corale L. Brierley
especially
: dna methylation
As cells begin to specialize into adult tissues, methylation seems to inactivate genes that are no longer needed. — John Travis
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for methylation
methylation
noun
meth·yl·ation
| \ ˌmeth-ə-ˈlā-shən
\
\
Medical Definition of methylation
: introduction of the methyl group into a chemical compound
especially
: dna methylation
Other Words from methylation
methylate
\ ˈmeth-ə-ˌlāt
\
transitive verb
methylated;
methylating
\
transitive verb
methylated;
methylating
Comments on methylation
What made you want to look up methylation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Homophone Quiz
-
- In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a
______.
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Homophone Quiz
More/moor than/then two/too/to.
Take the quiz -
Liar, Liar Quiz
Test your knowledge of words for lies, liars, and those being lied to. In other words, everyone.
Take the quiz -
Name That Thing
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
Take the quiz -
Word Winder's CrossWinder
Play the game
Share methylation
Resources for methylation