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catabolism

Pronunciation: /kəˈtabəlɪz(ə)m/
Definition of catabolism

noun

[mass noun] Biology
  • the breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.

Derivatives

catabolic

Pronunciation: /katəˈbɒlɪk/
adjective

catabolize

Pronunciation: /-lʌɪz/
verb

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek katabolē 'throwing down', from kata- 'down' + ballein 'to throw'

catabolism in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of catabolism in the US English dictionary

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