transferrin

noun

trans·​fer·​rin tran(t)s-ˈfer-ən How to pronounce transferrin (audio)
: a beta globulin in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric ions and transporting iron in the body

Examples of transferrin 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.
The blood test checks hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels, transferrin, and ferritin. — Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Feb. 2025 High signs of transferrin may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. — Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

trans- + Latin ferrum "iron" + -in entry 1 — more at farrier

Note: The term was first suggested by Carl G. Holmberg and C.-G. Laurell in "Nature of Serum Copper and its Relation to the Iron-binding Protein in Human Serum," Acta Chemica Scandinavica, vol. 1 (1947), p. 950.

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of transferrin was in 1947

Rhymes for transferrin

See All Rhymes for transferrin

Browse Nearby Words

transferrin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Transferrin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transferrin. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

transferrin

noun
trans·​fer·​rin tran(t)s-ˈfer-ən How to pronounce transferrin (audio)
: a beta globulin in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric ions and transporting iron in the body

called also siderophilin

More from Merriam-Webster on transferrin

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about transferrin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

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

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

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

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 Features

See More

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

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

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