oxidase

noun

ox·​i·​dase ˈäk-sə-ˌdās 

-ˌdāz

: any of various enzymes that catalyze oxidations

especially : one able to react directly with molecular oxygen

oxidasic

ˌäk-sə-ˈdā-sik 

-zik

adjective

Examples of oxidase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An enzyme called glucose oxidase, which bees add to nectar, turns glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide when the honey is diluted (for example, by wound moisture or saliva). —New Atlas, 29 June 2025

Back in the 1990s, the biologist Navdeep Chandel (opens a new tab) was a graduate student working on a mitochondrial enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. —Viviane Callier, Quanta Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

MAOIs Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are an older class of drugs used to treat depression. —Karen Berger, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2025

Because lactate oxidase affects only lactate, only more lactate can generate more electrons, so any change in lactate concentration shows up as a change in current through a sensing circuit. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2014

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing oxidase

• cytochrome oxidase
• monoamine oxidase

Rhymes for oxidase

• aldolase
• alleyways
• amylase
• anaphase
• anhydrase
• anyways
• arginase
• cabarets
• carriageways
• castaways
• catalase
• cellulase

Medical Definition

oxidase

noun

ox·​i·​dase ˈäk-sə-ˌdās, -ˌdāz 

: any of various enzymes that catalyze oxidations

especially : one able to react directly with molecular oxygen