synthetase

noun

syn·​the·​tase ˈsin-thə-ˌtās 

-ˌtāz

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules usually using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (such as ATP)

called also ligase

Examples of synthetase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The National Organization for Rare Disorders states that it is characterized by a complete or partial lack of the carbamoyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) enzyme, one of five that play a role in the breakdown and removal of nitrogen from the body. — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Following his birth in August 2024, KJ Muldoon was diagnosed with a rare metabolic disease known as severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, according to a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia news release. — Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 17 May 2025

The metabolic condition, called carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency, affects the urea cycle and can cause deadly levels of ammonia to build up in the blood, leading to severe and permanent brain damage. — Keerthana Pakanati, ABC News, 15 May 2025

To find out, the team compared Klosneuvirus’s aminoacyl tRNA synthetase sequences with other forms of the enzymes across the tree of life. — Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 20 Apr. 2017

Word History

Etymology

synthetic + -ase

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for synthetase

• aerospace
• anatase
• anyplace
• commonplace
• cyberspace
• database
• diabase
• diastase
• dnase
• elastase
• fireplace
• hyperspace

Medical Definition

synthetase

noun

syn·​the·​tase ˈsin-thə-ˌtās, -ˌtāz 

: an enzyme that catalyzes the linking together of two molecules especially by using the energy derived from the concurrent splitting off of a pyrophosphate group from a triphosphate (as ATP)

called also ligase