glutamate

noun

glu·​ta·​mate ˈglü-tə-ˌmāt How to pronounce glutamate (audio)
: a salt or ester of glutamic acid
specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter compare monosodium glutamate

Examples of glutamate 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.
People with Alzheimer’s can experience abnormal glutamate activity that harms nerve cells, but memantine helps stunt that impact, potentially slowing symptoms that make day-to-day life more challenging. Alisa Hrustic, SELF, 24 Mar. 2025 Memantine Memantine works by preventing glutamate from attaching to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (binding site). Ross Phan, Pharmd, Bcacp, Bcgp, Bcps, Verywell Health, 20 Mar. 2025 An imbalance in a person’s glutamate levels can lead to exhaustion, concentration issues, and clinical depressive problems. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Jan. 2025 The drug works by targeting a neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a key role in functions. Reuters, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glutamate

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glutamate was in 1876

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Cite this Entry

“Glutamate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glutamate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

glutamate

noun
glu·​ta·​mate ˈglüt-ə-ˌmāt How to pronounce glutamate (audio)
: a salt or ester of glutamic acid
specifically : a salt or ester of levorotatory glutamic acid that functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter see monosodium glutamate

More from Merriam-Webster on glutamate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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