noun
Common
enzyme
EHN-zym
Enzyme (noun) means a protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself. Example: “Enzymes in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing.”
noun
1
A protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself.
"Enzymes in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing."
"The lab tested how temperature affected enzyme activity."
"Your stomach makes an enzyme that helps to digest the protein in your lunch."
How to use enzyme
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA biological molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.
Common pairings
digestive enzyme
enzyme activity
enzyme deficiency
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Word forms
- Plural
- enzymes
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing.
Etymology
Coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kuhne from Greek en- ("in") plus zyme ("leaven, yeast").
Class of 1878
enzyme joined the language around 1878.
See the full Class of 1878 →
Synonyms
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Rhymes for enzyme
See all rhymes for enzyme →Frequently asked questions
What does “enzyme” mean?
The word “enzyme” means a protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction in the body without being used up itself. In plain terms, a biological molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in living things.
How do you pronounce “enzyme”?
“Enzyme” is pronounced EHN-zym (/ˈɛn.zaɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “enzyme” in a sentence?
Here is “enzyme” used in a sentence: “Enzymes in saliva start breaking down starch as soon as you begin chewing.”
What part of speech is “enzyme”?
“Enzyme” is a noun.
Where does the word “enzyme” come from?
The word “enzyme” dates back to around 1878 and comes from German. Coined in 1878 by German physiologist Wilhelm Kuhne from Greek en- ("in") plus zyme ("leaven, yeast").
Is “enzyme” a common word?
“Enzyme” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does an enzyme do in the body?
An enzyme is a protein produced by living cells that speeds up a specific chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently changed in the process. Each enzyme typically acts on a particular substance or type of reaction, making processes like digestion and metabolism happen far faster than they otherwise would.
What is the difference between an enzyme and a catalyst?
A catalyst is any substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up, and an enzyme is a specific biological type of catalyst made of protein. All enzymes are catalysts, but not all catalysts are enzymes; many industrial catalysts are inorganic and unrelated to living cells.
Why are enzymes important for digestion?
Digestive enzymes speed up the breakdown of food into smaller molecules the body can absorb, such as breaking proteins into amino acids or starches into sugars. Without enzymes, these chemical reactions would occur too slowly to sustain normal digestion.
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