metabolism
noun
me·tab·o·lism
mə-ˈta-bə-ˌli-zəm 
1
a
: the sum of the processes in the buildup and destruction of protoplasm
specifically
: the chemical changes in living cells by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated (see assimilate entry 1 sense 1b)
Regular exercise can help to increase your metabolism.
b
: the sum of the processes by which a particular substance is handled in the living body
c
: the sum of the metabolic activities taking place in a particular environment
the metabolism of a lake
2
: metamorphosis sense 2
—usually used in combination
holometabolism
Examples of metabolism in a Sentence
studying the metabolisms of various organisms
Recent Examples on the Web
Your metabolism may slow down if the body needs to conserve energy as a result.22
Lifestyle: A slow metabolism may result from factors like living a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to less calorie burning.
—
Cristina Mutchler, Health, 7 Jan. 2025
To simulate the behavior of cytochrome P450, a family of enzymes largely responsible for drug metabolism and therefore how patients will respond to drugs, classical computers would require colossal amounts of computing power.
—Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Several factors contribute to the long lifespan of the Tuatara:
Slow metabolism.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The molecules that showed extreme changes in a person’s 40s, for example, were related to alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism, as well as cardiovascular disease and skin and muscle health.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metabolism 
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Cristina Mutchler, Health, 7 Jan. 2025
To simulate the behavior of cytochrome P450, a family of enzymes largely responsible for drug metabolism and therefore how patients will respond to drugs, classical computers would require colossal amounts of computing power.
—Charina Chou, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
Several factors contribute to the long lifespan of the Tuatara:
Slow metabolism.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
The molecules that showed extreme changes in a person’s 40s, for example, were related to alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism, as well as cardiovascular disease and skin and muscle health.
—Lauryn Higgins, Health, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for metabolism
Dictionary Entries Near metabolism
Cite this Entry
“Metabolism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metabolism. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
metabolism
noun
me·tab·o·lism
mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌliz-əm
1
: the processes essential for life by which the complex substances in the cells of living things are built up or broken down
2
: the processes by which a particular substance (as iodine) is handled in the living body
Medical Definition
metabolism
noun
me·tab·o·lism
mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌliz-əm
1
a
: the sum of the processes in the buildup and destruction of protoplasm
specifically
: the chemical changes in living cells by which energy is provided for vital processes and activities and new material is assimilated
methods of determining body and tissue metabolism —Bulletin of the University of Kentucky
see anabolism, catabolism
Bulletin of the University of Kentucky
b
: the sum of the processes by which a particular substance is handled (as by assimilation and incorporation or by detoxification and excretion) in the living body
the metabolism of iodine in the thyroid
2
: metamorphosis sense 2
—usually used in combination
holometabolism
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