pyruvate

American  

[pahy-roo-vayt, pi-] / paɪˈru veɪt, pɪ- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. an ester or salt of pyruvic acid.

---

pyruvate Scientific  

/ pī-ro̅o̅′vāt,pĭ- /

1. A salt, ester, or ionized form of pyruvic acid, containing the group CH ₃ COCOO.

---

Etymology

Origin of pyruvate

First recorded in 1850–55; pyruv(ic acid) + -ate ²

---

Compare meaning

How does pyruvate compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• pyruvate vs. pyruvic acid

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pyruvate

The team found that this process depends on a mitochondrial enzyme called pyruvate carboxylase.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 20, 2026

The research, led by Dr. Miriam Lisci, a postdoctoral scientist in Prof. Jourdain's lab, focused on carbon-rich molecules, especially pyruvate.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 20, 2026

To explore this approach, the researchers removed two genes linked to the enzymes chitin synthase and pyruvate decarboxylase.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 21, 2025

Lactate is produced via pyruvate, which is located at the end of a metabolic pathway called glycolysis.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 14, 2024

The team discovered that blocking a specific part of cell metabolism, called the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, and adding a substance called lactate can change the cell behavior.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2023

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---