uric acid

American  

noun

1. Biochemistry. a compound, C 5 H 4 N 4 O 3 , present in mammalian urine in small amounts, and the principal nitrogenous component of the excrement of reptiles and birds, that in the form of its salts occurs in the joints in gout and as the major constituent of kidney stones.

2. Chemistry. a white, crystalline, odorless, tasteless, very slightly water-soluble powder form of this compound, obtained chiefly from urine or bird excrement or synthesized, used chiefly in organic synthesis.

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uric acid British  

noun

1. a white odourless tasteless crystalline product of protein metabolism, present in the blood and urine; 2,6,8-trihydroxypurine. Formula: C 5 H 4 N 4 O 3

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uric acid Scientific  

/ yr′ĭk /

1. The chief nitrogen-containing waste product excreted in the urine of birds, insects, and most reptiles. It is produced by the breakdown of amino acids in the liver. Uric acid is also produced in small quantities in humans by the breakdown of purines, and elevated levels in the blood can lead to gout. Chemical formula: C ₅ H ₄ N ₄ O ₃ .

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uric-acid
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of uric acid

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

"By lowering uric acid, we could potentially prevent multiple diseases at once."

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

The reintroduced uricase gene again reduced uric acid.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

Between one-quarter and one-half of people with high blood pressure also have high uric acid, and in newly diagnosed hypertension, that overlap rises to 90 percent, according to the study.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

Uricase breaks down uric acid, a waste product that routinely forms in the blood.

From Science Daily • Nov. 14, 2025

Then you came forth again like the sun after storm— The deadly uric acid driven out at last Which had poisoned you and dwarfed your soul— So much for soul!

From Songs and Satires by Masters, Edgar Lee