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Definition of enzyme

enzyme

/ˈɛn.zaɪm/
en · zyme
Adverb:enzymatically
•
Plural:enzymes
•
Adjective:enzymatic
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enzyme Lexical Profile

enzyme Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A biological macromolecule, typically a protein, produced by a living organism to act as a catalyst that accelerates a specific biochemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Example

"Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called amylase that begins breaking down starches into simpler sugars."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for enzyme

• Rhymes for enzyme

• Nearby Words

envoy
envy
enwrap
enzyme
eon
epa
epacris

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1877 by the German physiologist Wilhelm Kühne (as German Enzym) from Medieval Greek enzymos ('leavened'), combining en- ('in') and zyme ('leaven' or 'yeast'), referring to the catalytic substances found inside yeast cells.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Enzyme. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/enzyme
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