urea

[ yoo-ree-uh, yoor-ee-uh ]

noun

1. Biochemistry. a compound, CO(NH 2 ) 2 , occurring in urine and other body fluids as a product of protein metabolism.
2. Chemistry. a water-soluble powder form of this compound, obtained by the reaction of liquid ammonia and liquid carbon dioxide: used as a fertilizer, animal feed, in the synthesis of plastics, resins, and barbiturates, and in medicine as a diuretic and in the diagnosis of kidney function.

urea

/ ˈjʊərɪə /

noun

1. a white water-soluble crystalline compound with a saline taste and often an odour of ammonia, produced by protein metabolism and excreted in urine. A synthetic form is used as a fertilizer, animal feed, and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: CO(NH 2 ) 2 Also calledcarbamide

urea

/ y-rē′ə /

1. The chief nitrogen-containing waste product excreted in the urine of mammals and some fish. It is the final nitrogenous product in the breakdown of proteins by the body, during which amino groups (NH 2 ) are removed from amino acids and converted into ammonium ions (NH 4 ), which are toxic at high concentrations. The liver then converts the ammonium ions into urea. Urea is also made artificially for use in fertilizers and medicine. Chemical formula: CON 2 H 4 .

Derived Forms

• uˈreal, adjective

Other Words From

• u·real u·reic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urea¹

1800–10; < New Latin < French urée; ultimately < Greek oûron urine or oureîn to urinate; uro- ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of urea¹

C19: from New Latin, from French urée, from Greek ouron urine

Example Sentences

Other factors being equal, the amount of urea indicates the activity of metabolism.

From Project Gutenberg

Crystals of urea nitrate or oxalate (Fig. 19) will soon appear and can be recognized with the microscope.

From Project Gutenberg

The urea was not increased and the relation of urea to total nitrogen remained the same.

From Project Gutenberg

No urea escapes by the skin, but many acids (probably fatty ones) are liberated by that organ.

From Project Gutenberg

This remedy was thought to convert uric acid into urea, and to so help elimination.

From Project Gutenberg