purine

noun

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pu·rine | \ ˈpyu̇r-ˌēn

Definition of purine

1 : a crystalline base C₅H₄N₄ that is the parent of compounds of the uric-acid group

2 : a derivative of purine especially : a base (such as adenine or guanine) that is a constituent of DNA or RNA

Examples of purine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In humans, it's associated with foods that have a high purine content, such as red meat -- something that no doubt made up the bulk of T. rex meals. — Katie Hunt, CNN, 23 Sep. 2021 The foods most likely to contribute to these inner stalagmites are high in the chemical compound purine, among them venison and foie gras, pheasant and scallops, goose and caviar. — Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 13 Nov. 2020 Peas are a source of purines, which can increase the amount of uric acid in your blood and potentially lead to a gout flare-up. — Emily Abbate, GQ, 5 Mar. 2018 Franklin's lifestyle, including a diet high in purines (found abundantly in meat and beer), can result in uric acid synthesis and gout. — Philly.com, 8 Oct. 2017 One nutritionist wasn't surprised by the new findings, pointing out that the DASH diet is low in compounds called purines, which break down to form uric acid. — Healthday, chicagotribune.com, 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.