Definition of METABOLISM

metabolism

Plural: metabolisms

Noun

  • the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals
  • the organic processes (in a cell or organism) that are necessary for life
  • The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.
  • The rate at which these processes occur for a given organism
  • The processes that maintain any dynamic system.

Examples

  • Small animals have a much higher metabolism than large animals because they lose more body heat
  • The metabolisms of aerobic bacteria require oxygen

Origin / Etymology

From Ancient Greek μεταβολή (metabolḗ, “change”) + -ism, from μεταβάλλω (metabállō, “to change, to alter”) + -η (-ē, action noun suffix).

Synonyms

metabolic process, metamorphosis

Scrabble Score: 16

metabolism: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
metabolism: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
metabolism: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

metabolism: valid Words With Friends Word