transmembrane

adjective

trans·​mem·​brane (ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈmem-ˌbrān How to pronounce transmembrane (audio)
(ˌ)tranz-
: taking place or existing across a membrane
a transmembrane protein

Examples of transmembrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In the late 1990s, some scientists hypothesized that the former food vacuole was still likely to carry a transmembrane channel protein called a proton pump. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 6 July 2023 The soluble form is produced when the gene is spliced to remove the transmembrane portion (Figure 2). William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'transmembrane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of transmembrane was in 1944

Dictionary Entries Near transmembrane

Cite this Entry

“Transmembrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transmembrane. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

transmembrane

adjective
: taking place, existing, or arranged from one side to the other of a membrane
a transmembrane potential
transmembrane proteins
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