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• amino
  amino

  adjective

  containing the amino group.
• amino-
  amino-

  a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the amino group is present.

amino

¹ American  

[uh-mee-noh, am-uh-noh] / əˈmi noʊ, ˈæm əˌnoʊ /

adjective

Chemistry.

1. containing the amino group.

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amino- ² American  

1. a combining form used in the names of chemical compounds in which the amino group is present.

   aminobenzene.

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amino ¹ British  

/ -ˈmiː-, əˈmaɪnəʊ /

noun

1. (modifier) of, consisting of, or containing the group of atoms -NH 2

   amino group or radical

   amino acid

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amino- ² British  

combining form

1. indicating the presence of an amino group

   aminobenzoic acid

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amino Scientific  

/ ə-mē′nō,ăm′ə-nō′ /

1. Relating to an amine or other chemical compound that contains the group NH ₂.

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Etymology

Origin of amino¹

First recorded in 1900–05; independent use of amino-

Origin of amino-²

amine + -o-

Example Sentences

Experiments in mice showed that animals deprived of protein developed a strong preference for essential amino acids, similar to the behavior seen in fruit flies.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

Fruit flies lacking normal gut microbes displayed much stronger activation of amino acid-seeking brain neurons, suggesting that the microbiome helps regulate nutrient availability and feeding behavior.

From Science Daily • May 28, 2026

One of the most surprising discoveries involved D-serine, an amino acid that also functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

Now, researchers at the University of Cologne have uncovered a new mechanism showing how the amino acid leucine can enhance mitochondrial performance.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2026

A change in a single DNA nucleotide causes a change in a single amino acid in the protein for which that DNA codes.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan