metabolite
Americannoun
noun
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A substance produced by metabolism.
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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.
Etymology
Origin of metabolite
First recorded in 1880–85; metabol(ism) + -ite 1
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.
To create the compounds, the researchers combined several amino acids with tryptamine, a naturally occurring metabolite derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan.
From Science Daily • May 14, 2026
The scientists now aim to characterize each metabolite in greater detail and determine how they are produced.
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
The researchers also highlight betaine -- a metabolite produced in the kidney -- as an oral compound that can imitate many of the rejuvenating effects normally linked to physical activity.
From Science Daily • Nov. 13, 2025
These correlations were independent of experimental condition, suggesting fundamental relationships between gut metabolite profiles and brain function.
From Science Daily • Oct. 21, 2025
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
