tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan 
variants
or less commonly tryptophane
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins
Examples of tryptophan in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To improve your mood, bananas contain tryptophan, which the body converts into feel-good hormone serotonin.
—
Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Oats have plenty of complex carbohydrates and tryptophan, which helps make and support serotonin and energy regulation.
—Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 18 July 2025
This may be due to the tryptophan found in the turkey.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 27 Oct. 2024
As for the emerging supplements with little research, some showed the most promise in early studies: Folic acid, lavender, zinc, tryptophan, rhodiola and lemon balm.
—New Atlas, 14 July 2025
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Bethany Thayer, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Oats have plenty of complex carbohydrates and tryptophan, which helps make and support serotonin and energy regulation.
—Dr. Samanta Dall’agnese, CNBC, 18 July 2025
This may be due to the tryptophan found in the turkey.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 27 Oct. 2024
As for the emerging supplements with little research, some showed the most promise in early studies: Folic acid, lavender, zinc, tryptophan, rhodiola and lemon balm.
—New Atlas, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tryptophan
Cite this Entry
“Tryptophan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tryptophan. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan
: an amino acid that is found in many proteins and is necessary for life but cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be obtained in food
Medical Definition
tryptophan
noun
tryp·to·phan
ˈtrip-tə-ˌfan
variants
also tryptophane
: a crystalline essential amino acid C11H12N2O2 that is widely distributed in proteins
—abbreviation Trp
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