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glycine

American  
[glahy-seen, glahy-seen] / ˈglaɪ sin, glaɪˈsin /

noun

Biochemistry.
  1. a colorless, crystalline, sweet, water-soluble solid, H 2 NCH 2 COOH, the simplest amino acid: used chiefly in organic synthesis and biochemical research. Gly; G


glycine British  
/ ɡlaɪˈsiːn, ˈɡlaɪsiːn /

noun

  1. a nonessential amino acid occurring in most proteins that acts as a neurotransmitter; aminoacetic acid

"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

glycine Scientific  
/ glī′sēn′,-sĭn /
  1. A nonessential amino acid. Glycine is the simplest amino acid. Chemical formula: C 2 H 5 NO 2 .

  2. See more at amino acid


Etymology

Origin of glycine

First recorded in 1850–55; glyc- + -ine 2

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:

Earlier treatment strategies tried to raise glycine levels by blocking GlyT1, another transporter that regulates glycine.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 7, 2026

Creatine is naturally produced by the body in the liver, kidneys and pancreas using amino acids such as glycine, arginine and methionine.

From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026

The team concentrated on glycine, the simplest amino acid.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 12, 2026

Because glycine can form under a variety of chemical conditions, scientists often use it as a marker for early prebiotic chemistry.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 12, 2026

Half asleep, they could hear the joyous crickets chirping and the showers falling; the breath of the autumn earth—honeysuckle, clematis, glycine, and new-mown hay—filled the house and soothed their senses.

From Jean-Christophe Journey's End by Gilbert Cannan

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