urea

noun

\ yu̇-ˈrē-ə

Definition of urea

: a soluble weakly basic nitrogenous compound CO(NH₂)₂ that is the chief solid component of mammalian urine and an end product of protein decomposition, is synthesized from carbon dioxide and ammonia, and is used especially in synthesis (as of resins and plastics) and in fertilizers and animal rations

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Examples of urea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The resulting space slurry could then be poured into moulds of any shape with the bacteria converting the urea into crystals of calcium carbonate. — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 June 2022 James told the outlet the 2022 college football recruit had urea cycle disorder (UCD), a rare genetic disorder that can result in elevated blood ammonia levels that become toxic, according to the Medical Journal of Australia. — Olivia Jakiel, PEOPLE.com, 4 May 2022 David Dimmock, an expert in metabolic diseases at Children's, was sure the baby had some kind of urea cycle disorder, a group of conditions that hinder removal of ammonia from the blood. — Mark Johnson, jsonline.com, 29 Apr. 2022 This mess-free solid balm stick is made of one-quarter urea (a naturally occurring moisturizer in skin), plant butters and refreshing peppermint oil; glide it over feet to help repair rough skin. — April Franzino, Good Housekeeping, 26 Apr. 2022 The company said its production of ammonia and urea in Europe was operating at about 45% of capacity. — Austen Hufford, WSJ, 23 Mar. 2022 Yara is the world's second largest producer of ammonia with a capacity in Europe of 4.9 million tonnes per year, which in turn is used in the manufacture of urea fertilizers. — Reuters, CNN, 9 Mar. 2022 The price of food is going to go way up because Big Ag is so dependent on these urea and potash supplies. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Mar. 2022 In 2019, India revived five fertiliser manufacturing units to maximise domestic production, but these plants only focus on the highly-subsidised urea. — Mimansa Verma, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2022 See More

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

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Last Updated

13 Jun 2022

Cite this Entry

“Urea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urea. Accessed 24 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for urea

urea

noun

\ yu̇-ˈrē-ə

Kids Definition of urea

: a compound of nitrogen that is the chief solid substance dissolved in the urine of a mammal and is formed by the breaking down of protein

urea

noun

\ yu̇-ˈrē-ə

Medical Definition of urea

: a soluble weakly basic nitrogenous compound CH₄N₂O that is the chief solid component of mammalian urine and an end product of protein decomposition and that is administered intravenously as a diuretic drug

— called also carbamide