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pyruvate

American  
[pahy-roo-veyt, pi-] / paɪˈru veɪt, pɪ- /

noun

Chemistry.
  1. an ester or salt of pyruvic acid.


pyruvate Scientific  
/ pī-ro̅o̅vāt,pĭ- /
  1. A salt, ester, or ionized form of pyruvic acid, containing the group CH 3 COCOO.


Etymology

Origin of pyruvate

First recorded in 1850–55; pyruv(ic acid) + -ate 2

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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.

The team found that this process depends on a mitochondrial enzyme called pyruvate carboxylase.

From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026

The deletion of the pyruvate decarboxylase gene fine-tuned the fungus's metabolism, reducing the amount of nutrients needed for protein production.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2025

The team discovered that blocking a specific part of cell metabolism, called the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier, and adding a substance called lactate can change the cell behavior.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2023

Glycolysis begins with the six carbon ring-shaped structure of a single glucose molecule and ends with two molecules of a three-carbon sugar called pyruvate.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Like the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl CoA, the citric acid cycle in eukaryotic cells takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

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