metabolite

American  

[muh-tab-uh-lahyt] / məˈtæb əˌlaɪt /

noun

Biology, Physiology.

1. a product of metabolic action.

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metabolite British  

/ mɪˈtæbəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a substance produced during or taking part in metabolism

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metabolite Scientific  

/ mĭ-tăb′ə-līt′ /

1. A substance produced by metabolism.

2. A substance necessary for or taking part in a particular metabolic process. Examples of metabolites are glucose in the metabolism of sugars and starches, amino acids in the biosynthesis of proteins, and squalene in the biosynthesis of cholesterol.

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Etymology

Origin of metabolite

First recorded in 1880–85; metabol(ism) + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Although plant metabolite databases are far less complete than those for animals, the researchers identified compounds linked to regional plants such as aloe and asparagus.

From Science Daily • Jan. 3, 2026

The metabolite profiles in these susceptible mice also differed from those observed in a strain of mice naturally resistant to metabolic syndrome.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

The study unexpectedly identified a significant role for a group of enzymes known as agmatinases, which convert the metabolite agmatine into polyamines.

From Science Daily • Dec. 5, 2025

These correlations were independent of experimental condition, suggesting fundamental relationships between gut metabolite profiles and brain function.

From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025

One metabolite, or product, of lysine produced during this process is called pipecolic acid, and another, produced at a later step, is called N-hydroxypipecholic acid.

From Salon • Mar. 5, 2025