methylase

noun

meth·​yl·​ase ˈme-thə-ˌlās How to pronounce methylase (audio)
-ˌlāz
: an enzyme that catalyzes methylation (as of RNA or DNA)

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of methylase was circa 1952

Rhymes for methylase

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Browse Nearby Words

methyl anthranilate
methylase
methylate
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Cite this Entry

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

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Medical Definition

methylase

noun
meth·​yl·​ase ˈmeth-ə-ˌlās, -ˌlāz How to pronounce methylase (audio)
: an enzyme (as DNA methyltransferase) that catalyzes methylation (as of RNA or DNA)

More from Merriam-Webster on methylase

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about methylase

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