Protein definition
Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes.
noun
The definition of a protein is a substance that has amino acids, compounds and carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and sometimes sulfur and is found in many foods.
An example of a protein is the type of nutrient found in meats.
noun
(nutrition) One of three major classes of food or source of food energy (4 kcal/gram) abundant in animal-derived foods (ie: meat) and some vegetables, such as legumes. see carbohydrate and fat for the other two major classes.
For each dish, select a curry, protein, and spiciness.
noun
The portion of a food consisting of such macromolecules.
Nuts contain significant quantities of protein.
noun
A food that is composed of such macromolecules.
What protein would you like for dinner: chicken or fish?
noun
Advertisement
Any of a group of complex organic macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually sulfur and are composed of one or more chains of amino acids. Proteins are fundamental components of all living cells and include many substances, such as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, that are necessary for the proper functioning of an organism. They are essential in the diet of animals for the growth and repair of tissue and can be obtained from foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, and legumes.
noun
Any of a large class of complex polymers consisting of long chains of polypeptides often bonded with nucleic acids, lipids, etc.: proteins are found in all cells, are essential to the diet of animals, are the basic components of cartilage, hair, skin, etc., and often function as enzymes, hormones, or antibodies.
noun
Any of a large class of complex organic chemical compounds that are essential for life. Proteins play a central role in biological processes and form the basis of living tissues. They consist of long chains of amino acids connected by peptide bonds and have distinct and varied three-dimensional structures, usually containing alpha helices and beta sheets as well as looping and folded chains. Enzymes, antibodies, and hemoglobin are examples of proteins.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
protein
Plural:
proteinsOrigin of protein
- French protéine from Late Greek prōteios of the first quality from Greek prōtos first per1 in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Wiktionary