heterotrophic

adjective

het·​ero·​tro·​phic ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈtrō-fik How to pronounce heterotrophic (audio)
: requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (such as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis compare autotrophic
heterotrophically adverb

Examples of heterotrophic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Humans, cats, dogs, and all other animals contain mitochondria that produces energy from our heterotrophic (food-consuming) metabolism. Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, 16 Aug. 2023 The posterior body of female Osedax penetrates into the bone forming extensions known as 'roots', which host heterotrophic symbiotic bacteria in bacteriocytes beneath the epidermis. Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 13 Mar. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heterotrophic.' 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

1893, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterotrophic was in 1893

Dictionary Entries Near heterotrophic

Cite this Entry

“Heterotrophic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterotrophic. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

heterotrophic

adjective
het·​ero·​tro·​phic ˌhet-ə-rə-ˈtrō-fik How to pronounce heterotrophic (audio)
: requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis
heterotrophically adverb
heterotrophism noun
heterotrophy noun
plural heterotrophies
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