thrombin

American  

[throm-bin] / ˈθrɒm bɪn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an enzyme of the blood plasma that catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, the last step of the blood clotting process.

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thrombin British  

/ ˈθrɒmbɪn /

noun

1. biochem an enzyme that acts on fibrinogen in blood causing it to clot

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thrombin Scientific  

/ thrŏm′bĭn /

1. An enzyme in blood that catalyzes the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and is essential to the coagulation of blood.

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Etymology

Origin of thrombin

First recorded in 1895–1900; thromb(us) + -in ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thrombin

When exposed to thrombin, a substance that promotes clotting, the cells had a reduced ability to produce t-PA, a natural compound that helps break down clots.

From Science Daily ● Mar. 28, 2026

HSP47 recruits an enzyme called thrombin that helps platelets stick together and form clots.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 13, 2023

By silencing a gene for antithrombin, fitusiran enables a rise in the production of the enzyme thrombin, which helps the blood to clot.

From Nature ● Oct. 15, 2019

It works by blocking thrombin, a blood enzyme involved with clotting.

From Reuters ● Nov. 18, 2013

Secondly, the body has been found to possess the power of making a substance, antithrombin, which can combine with thrombin forming a substance which is quite inactive as far as clotting is concerned.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various