urea

American  

[yoo-ree-uh, yoor-ee-uh] / yʊˈri ə, ˈyʊər i ə /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a compound, CO(NH2 ) 2 , occurring in urine and other body fluids as a product of protein metabolism.

2. Chemistry. a water-soluble powder form of this compound, obtained by the reaction of liquid ammonia and liquid carbon dioxide: used as a fertilizer, animal feed, in the synthesis of plastics, resins, and barbiturates, and in medicine as a diuretic and in the diagnosis of kidney function.

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urea British  

/ ˈjʊərɪə /

noun

1. Also called: carbamide.  a white water-soluble crystalline compound with a saline taste and often an odour of ammonia, produced by protein metabolism and excreted in urine. A synthetic form is used as a fertilizer, animal feed, and in the manufacture of synthetic resins. Formula: CO(NH 2 ) 2

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urea Scientific  

/ y-rē′ə /

1. The chief nitrogen-containing waste product excreted in the urine of mammals and some fish. It is the final nitrogenous product in the breakdown of proteins by the body, during which amino groups (NH ₂) are removed from amino acids and converted into ammonium ions (NH ₄), which are toxic at high concentrations. The liver then converts the ammonium ions into urea. Urea is also made artificially for use in fertilizers and medicine. Chemical formula: CON ₂ H ₄ .

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Other Word Forms

• ureal adjective
• ureic adjective

Etymology

Origin of urea

1800–10; < New Latin < French urée; ultimately < Greek oûron urine or oureîn to urinate; uro- ¹

Example Sentences

This is vital, not just for oil and gas, but also jet fuel, sulphur, urea and diesel.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

The Middle East accounts for about 20% of the global ammonia trade and 38% of the global urea trade, two of the most widely used nitrogen fertilizers, according to the consulting firm Wood Mackenzie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Gulf states produce key minerals used in fertilizer production, including urea, phosphate, ammonia, and sulfur.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

While the vast majority of liquid nitrogen and ammonia is domestically produced, the U.S. imports about half of its urea, making it susceptible to the Middle East supply shock.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

There’s also the protein supplement, a sticky brown goop made of molasses and urea.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan