esterase

noun

es·​ter·​ase ˈe-stə-ˌrās How to pronounce esterase (audio)
-ˌrāz
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis or synthesis of esters

Examples of esterase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Leukocytes may be detected in urine using a leukocyte esterase test or with an examination under a microscope. — Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 July 2024 Nothing else in nature pares cocaine down to its inactive components with the tenacity of cocaine esterase, and scientists have long hoped to harness the enzyme for therapeutic purposes. — Carl Engelking, Discover Magazine, 26 June 2014 Detection of urinary leukocyte esterase, a nonspecific enzyme present in white blood cells, is also based upon a diazotization reaction embedded in urinary test strips. — Neil Gaffin, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025 Cisplatin is released upon exposure to the antioxidant glutathione inside cells, camptothecin is freed upon exposure to cell enzymes called esterases, and doxorubicin's release is triggered by ultraviolet light exposure. — Jeremy Hsu, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Apr. 2014

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of esterase was in 1910

Rhymes for esterase

See All Rhymes for esterase

Browse Nearby Words

ester
esterase
Estérel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Esterase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/esterase. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

esterase

noun
es·​ter·​ase ˈes-tə-ˌrās, -ˌrāz How to pronounce esterase (audio)
: an enzyme that accelerates the hydrolysis or synthesis of esters
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All