essential amino acid

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any amino acid that is required by an animal for growth but that cannot be synthesized by the animal's cells and must be supplied in the diet.

Word History and Origins

Origin of essential amino acid¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

For example, technically potatoes contain all the essential amino acids you need to survive.

From Popular-Science

All of these high-protein options are also rich in leucine, an essential amino acid involved in the growth and repair of muscle, skin, and bone.

From Outside Online

The premise is this: turkey is chock-full of a soporific essential amino acid, tryptophan, one of the 22 essential amino acids.

From The Daily Beast