telomerase

noun

tel·​o·​me·​rase te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās How to pronounce telomerase (audio)
-ˌrāz
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

Examples of telomerase in a Sentence

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There’s also growing interest in how telomerase might be safely used to aid tissue regeneration, although that wasn’t tested in this study. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 17 June 2025 However, the enzyme telomerase can rebuild telomeres to restore cell division. New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2024 However, most of our cells produce very little telomerase naturally. William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024 Even more interesting is the fact that TPP1 is known to activate telomerase. Jonathan Alder, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of telomerase was in 1988

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Cite this Entry

“Telomerase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telomerase. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

telomerase

noun
tel·​o·​me·​rase te-ˈlō-mə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz How to pronounce telomerase (audio)
: a DNA polymerase that is a ribonucleoprotein catalyzing the elongation of chromosomal telomeres in eukaryotic cell division and is particularly active in cancer cells

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