asparagine

noun

as·​par·​a·​gine ə-ˈsper-ə-ˌjēn How to pronounce asparagine (audio)
-ˈspa-rə-
: a nonessential amino acid C4H8N2O3 that is an amide of aspartic acid

Examples of asparagine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Others, like asparagine to tyrosine at position 501 (N501Y) and serine to asparagine at position 477 (S477N), have been shown to increase ACE2 affinity by creating new hydrogen bonds. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 28 Jan. 2022 Potatoes can be blanched to reduce sugar content, treated with an enzyme to remove much of the asparagine, or cooked for less time or at lower temperatures. — Kendall Powell, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2018

Word History

Etymology

French, from Latin asparagus

First Known Use

1808, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of asparagine was in 1808

Rhymes for asparagine

See All Rhymes for asparagine

Browse Nearby Words

aspar
asparagine
asparagus
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Asparagine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asparagine. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

asparagine

noun
as·​par·​a·​gine ə-ˈspar-ə-ˌjēn How to pronounce asparagine (audio)
: a white crystalline amino acid C4H8N2O3 that is an amide of aspartic acid
—abbreviation Asn

More from Merriam-Webster on asparagine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about asparagine

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
dog-in-disguise
Rhyme Disguise Quiz Pair up words that look different but sound alike.
See All