acrylamide

American  

[uh-kril-uh-mahyd, -mid, ak-ruh-lam-ahyd, -id] / əˈkrɪl əˌmaɪd, -mɪd, ˌæk rəˈlæm aɪd, -ɪd /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, odorless, toxic crystalline compound, C 3 H 5 NO, soluble in water, alcohol, and acetone: used in the synthesis of polyacrylamide and other organic materials, as textile fibers, in the processing of ore, and in the treatment of sewage.

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acrylamide Scientific  

/ ə-krĭl′ə-mīd′ /

1. A chemical compound that is derived from acrylic acid and easily forms polymers. Acrylamide is used in synthetic fibers and sewage treatment and as a medium in electrophoresis, especially to separate macromolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₅ NO.

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Etymology

Origin of acrylamide

acryl(ic) + amide

Example Sentences

Researchers also found that compounds found in bamboo can inhibit the formation of furan and reduce the production of acrylamide.

From Science Daily • Jan. 16, 2026

But research on rodents exposed them to far higher levels of the compound than humans would consume, and evidence suggests animals also metabolize acrylamide differently than we do.

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2023

Rothamsted Research this month applied for a permit to field test wheat edited to contain less asparagine, an amino acid that becomes the carcinogen acrylamide when baked.

From Science Magazine • May 26, 2021

A state judge ruled in March that the chain had to post Proposition 65 warnings about acrylamide in coffee.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 31, 2018

Still, its analysis essentially suggests that, to the best of our knowledge, acrylamide is likely to be carcinogenic.

From Slate • May 17, 2018