papain

noun

pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən  -ˈpī-ən 

: a protease in the juice of unripe papaya that is used especially as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine (as in the topical debridement of necrotic tissue)

Examples of papain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Takeaways Papaya helps with digestion by providing fiber and papain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins. — Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2026

Papaya Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which helps the body convert dietary proteins from meat, beans, or fish into amino acids that can be properly digested. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026

Like pineapples, papayas contain papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. — Sarah Bradley, Health, 27 Apr. 2026

Each textured pad is soaked in a mix of lactic acid (a gentle AHA) and enzyme exfoliants like papain (natural enzymes extracted from raw, unripe papaya) to dissolve dead skin, while the pad itself adds a bit of physical exfoliation. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from papaya

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for papain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

papain

noun

pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən  -ˈpī-ən 

: an enzyme in papaya juice used especially to make meat tender and in medicine

Medical Definition

papain

noun

pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən  -ˈpī- 

: a crystallizable protease in the juice of the green fruit of the papaya obtained usually as a brownish powder and used chiefly as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine as a digestant and as a topical agent in the debridement of necrotic tissue