exergonic

American

[ek-ser-gon-ik] / ˌɛk sərˈgɒn ɪk /

adjective

Biochemistry.

(of a biochemical reaction) liberating energy.

exergonic British

/ ˌɛksəˈɡɒnɪk /

adjective

(of a biochemical reaction) producing energy and therefore occurring spontaneously Compare endergonic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

exergonic Scientific

/ ĕk′sər-gŏn′ĭk /

Relating to a chemical reaction that releases energy. The breakdown of sugars by cellular metabolism is an exergonic reaction that releases energy used to drive endergonic reactions.
Compare endergonic

Etymology

Origin of exergonic

1935–40; ex- ³ + Greek érgon work + -ic

Compare meaning

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

endergonic vs. exergonic

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.

See Examples For:

exergonic

Sand art being destroyed is exergonic, no change in enthalpy and entropy decreases.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Important macromolecules, such as proteins, DNA, and RNA, store considerable energy, and their breakdown is exergonic.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

A ball rolling downhill is exergonic process, enthalpy decreases and entropy increases.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Reactions that have a negative change in free energy and consequently release free energy are called exergonic reactions.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

There is another important concept that must be considered regarding endergonic and exergonic reactions.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023