cysteine

noun

cys·​te·​ine ˈsi-stə-ˌēn How to pronounce cysteine (audio)
: a crystalline sulfur-containing amino acid C3H7NO2S readily oxidizable to cystine

Examples of cysteine in a Sentence

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Each video is great, but her reaction to tasting cysteine is memorable. Brittany Trang, STAT, 4 Feb. 2026 The regimen included omega-3s; the antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine, commonly referred to as NAC; creatine, an amino acid supplement often used in athletic training; curcumin, an anti-inflammatory supplement derived from the turmeric plant, and more. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Jan. 2026 PotMart186 via a Creative Commons license Orange coloration in animals is created by the pigment, pheomelanin, a yellow to reddish-brown pigment synthesized from the amino acid cysteine. Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026 After our first meeting, Kay texted me his hangover regimen, which consists of capsules of N-acetyl cysteine, alpha-lipoic acid, and a supplement called Hangheal Liver Detox. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cysteine

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from cystine + -ein

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cysteine was in 1884

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Cite this Entry

“Cysteine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cysteine. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

Medical Definition

cysteine

noun
cys·​teine ˈsis-tə-ˌēn How to pronounce cysteine (audio)
: a sulfur-containing amino acid C3H7NO2S occurring in many proteins and glutathione and readily oxidizable to cystine
abbreviation Cys

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