adenosine

American  

[uh-den-uh-seen, -sin] / əˈdɛn əˌsin, -sɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a white, crystalline, water-soluble nucleoside, C 10 H 13 N 5 O 4 , of adenine and ribose.

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adenosine British  

/ ˌædɪˈnəʊsiːn, æˈdɛnəˌsiːn /

noun

1. biochem a nucleoside formed by the condensation of adenine and ribose. It is present in all living cells in a combined form, as in ribonucleic acids. Formula: C 10 H 13 N 5 O 4

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adenosine Scientific  

/ ə-dĕn′ə-sēn′ /

1. A compound consisting of adenine combined with ribose. Adenosine is one of the nucleotides in DNA and is also a component of ADP, AMP, and ATP. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₃ N ₅ O ₄ .

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Etymology

Origin of adenosine

1905–10; < German Adenosin, blend of Adenin adenine and Ribose ribose

Compare meaning

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

• adenine vs. adenosine

Example Sentences

One important process is ATP hydrolysis, which is how cells break down adenosine triphosphate to release energy.

From Science Daily • Dec. 16, 2025

Caffeine blocks the adenosine receptors in your nerves, so your brain perceives less pain and fatigue.

From BBC • Jul. 31, 2025

Caffeine is a psychostimulant that works by blocking the adenosine receptors in the brain, which are linked to sleep, memory and learning.

From Salon • Dec. 22, 2024

Because adenosine levels in your brain decrease while you sleep, they’re at their lowest immediately after you wake up, Grandner said.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

"The antibody could be delivered via an injection to the back of the eyes, an approach often used in eye clinics, to block the activation of adenosine to Adora2A," Huo says.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2024