- a variation of autophagia.
autophagy
Americannoun
-
Cell Biology. the process by which a cell breaks down and reabsorbs parts of itself using enzymes it generates.
-
the act or process of consuming or digesting oneself.
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Autophagy is more effective at handling larger protein clumps," says study leader Luo.
From Science Daily • Nov. 27, 2025
Autophagy is induced by stresses such as starvation.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Autophagy maintains the metabolism and function of young and old stem cells.
From Nature • Jan. 23, 2018
Autophagy is also a tool that the cell uses to refuel itself if it is starving.
From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2016
Autophagy, which literally means “self-eating” in Greek, is a process of cell renewal that removes damaged proteins and organelles.
From Washington Post • Oct. 3, 2016
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
