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
This buzz-worthy wellness supplement is known for its gut health and metabolism benefits, but it’s also packed with some of the most vital nutrients to help support hair and skin health.
—
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 22 Sep. 2025
Yet people continue to buy supplements that claim to speed up metabolism — in fact, people can still buy dinitrophenol or DNP supplements online.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Getting to the root cause Significantly, both groups of mice ate the same amount of calories, indicating that RES-010 changed the body's metabolism, rather than causing the mice to simply eat less.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Obesity can disrupt the body's metabolism, weaken the immune system and lead to diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and up to 15 different cancers, while being underweight is tied to malnutrition, weakened immunity and nutrient deficiencies, Gribsholt warned.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
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Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 22 Sep. 2025
Yet people continue to buy supplements that claim to speed up metabolism — in fact, people can still buy dinitrophenol or DNP supplements online.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025
Getting to the root cause Significantly, both groups of mice ate the same amount of calories, indicating that RES-010 changed the body's metabolism, rather than causing the mice to simply eat less.
—New Atlas, 21 Sep. 2025
Obesity can disrupt the body's metabolism, weaken the immune system and lead to diseases like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and up to 15 different cancers, while being underweight is tied to malnutrition, weakened immunity and nutrient deficiencies, Gribsholt warned.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for metabolism
Cite this Entry
“Metabolism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metabolism. Accessed 24 Sep. 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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