metabolize

verb

me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈta-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce metabolize (audio)
metabolized; metabolizing

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism
metabolizable
mə-ˌta-bə-ˈlī-zə-bəl How to pronounce metabolize (audio)
adjective

Examples of metabolize in a Sentence

Food is metabolized by the body.
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.
Cows eat the grass but do not metabolize beta-carotene efficiently, so it is expressed in their milk. — Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026 The calorie counts on most nutrition labels reflect the total our bodies are likely to metabolize, not their burn rate. — ABC News, 7 July 2026 Therefore, it can't be digested and metabolized by everyone who experiences it in the same way. — Bryan West, USA Today, 12 June 2026 Enright notes that genetics, body weight and smoking all influence how quickly caffeine is metabolized, with smoking doubling the rate. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for metabolize

Word History

Etymology

metabol(ic) or metabol(ism) + -ize

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of metabolize was in 1877

Rhymes for metabolize

See All Rhymes for metabolize

Browse Nearby Words

metabolizability
metabolize
metabolomics
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Metabolize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metabolize. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

metabolize

verb
me·​tab·​o·​lize mə-ˈtab-ə-ˌlīz How to pronounce metabolize (audio)
metabolized; metabolizing
: to break down by metabolism
food is metabolized by the body

Medical Definition

metabolize

verb
me·​tab·​o·​lize
variants also British metabolise
-ˌlīz How to pronounce metabolize (audio)
metabolized also British metabolised; metabolizing also British metabolising

transitive verb

: to subject to metabolism

intransitive verb

: to perform metabolism
metabolizer noun
also British metaboliser
-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce metabolize (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on metabolize

Nglish: Translation of metabolize for Spanish Speakers

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