Organism Function
catabolism Audio
ca·tab·o·lism [ kuh-tab-uh-liz-uhm ]
Definitions related to catabolism:
  • (degradation) The reduction of a chemical compound to one less complex, as by splitting off one or more groups.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (catabolic process) The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of substances, including the breakdown of carbon compounds with the liberation of energy for use by the cell or organism.
    Gene Ontology Dictionary
    Gene Ontology Consortium, 2021
  • Catabolism, the sequences of enzyme-catalyzed reactions by which relatively large molecules in living cells are broken down, or degraded. Part of the chemical energy released during catabolic processes is conserved in the form of energy-rich compounds (e.g., adenosine triphosphate [ATP]). Energy is...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
Try this search on: Farlex, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, or Wordnik

This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.