Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for neuraminidase. Search instead for neuraminidases.

neuraminidase

British  
/ ˌnjʊərəˈmɪnɪdeɪz /

noun

  1. any of various enzymes, found esp in viruses, that catalyse the breakdown of glucosides containing neuraminic acid, an amino sugar

"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

Etymology

Origin of neuraminidase

C20: from neuramin ( ic acid ) (from neuro- + amine + -ic ) + -ide + -ase


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:

Flu viruses are composed of eight segments, including the haemagglutinin protein, or “H” part of the virus, and neuraminidase, or the “N” part.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2025

"It binds and inhibits viral neuraminidase expressed on both free virus particles and virus-infected cells," he said.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 19, 2024

Waterfowl harbor the most diversity, with 16 varieties of one surface protein, hemagglutinin, and nine of another, neuraminidase, leading researchers to conclude waterfowl are the main influenza A reservoir.

From Science Magazine ● Oct. 26, 2022

Tamiflu, also known by its chemical name oseltamivir, works by blocking a protein on the surface of flu viruses called neuraminidase that enables newly made germs to escape from an infected cell and spread.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 11, 2018

The new vaccine quest starts with two proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, that coat flu’s surface.

From Washington Times ● Jan. 18, 2018

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 14,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training