tau

noun

\ ˈtau̇

, ˈtȯ\

Definition of tau

1 : the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet — see Alphabet Table

2 : a short-lived elementary particle of the lepton family that exists in positive and negative charge states and has a mass about 3500 times greater than an electron

— called also tau particle

3 : a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

Examples of tau in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Specifically, brains with CTE accumulate a protein called tau (which is believed to be dislodged from brain fibers during an injury). — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 4 Feb. 2019 Specifically, brains with CTE accumulate a protein called tau (which is believed to be dislodged from brain fibers during an injury). — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 4 Feb. 2019 Specifically, brains with CTE accumulate a protein called tau (which is believed to be dislodged from brain fibers during an injury). — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 4 Feb. 2019 Later research identified the proteins that made up the plaques as amyloid and those that form the tangles as tau. — Christian Holscher, CNN, "New approach to Alzheimer's fight: Diabetes drugs," 15 June 2018 Researchers also found a link between higher pressure and one of the signs of Alzheimer’s — tangles of a protein called tau — but not another Alzheimer’s hallmark, amyloid plaques. — Washington Post, "Late-life high blood pressure may harm the brain, study says," 11 July 2018 Researchers are finding that Alzheimer’s symptoms and the presence of amyloid and tau do not necessarily go hand in hand. — Linda Marsa, Discover Magazine, "A New Treatment for Alzheimer's? It Starts With Lifestyle," 16 Nov. 2018 Our internal sense of time, called tau, is genetically determined. — SELF, "We Asked a Doctor How Much You Need to Care About Your Circadian Rhythm," 4 Sep. 2018 Specifically, brains with CTE accumulate a protein called tau (which is believed to be dislodged from brain fibers during an injury). — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 30 Apr. 2018

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

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13 May 2019

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tau

noun

\ ˈtau̇

, ˈtȯ

Medical Definition of tau

: a protein that binds to and regulates the assembly and stability of neuronal microtubules and that is found in an abnormal form as the major component of neurofibrillary tangles

— called also tau protein