phosphoenolpyruvic acid

noun

phos·​pho·​enol·​pyr·​uvic acid ˌfäs-ˌfō-ə-ˌnȯl-pī-ˈrü-vik- How to pronounce phosphoenolpyruvic acid (audio)
-ˌpī(-ə)r-ˈyü-vik-
: the phosphate H2C=C(OPO3H2)COOH of the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of phosphoenolpyruvic acid was in 1959

Rhymes for phosphoenolpyruvic acid

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Browse Nearby Words

phosphoenolpyruvate
phosphoenolpyruvic acid
phosphoferrite
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Cite this Entry

“Phosphoenolpyruvic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/phosphoenolpyruvic%20acid. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

phosphoenolpyruvic acid

noun
phos·​pho·​enol·​pyr·​uvic acid -pī-ˌrü-vik-, -ˌpī(ə)r-ˌyü-vik- How to pronounce phosphoenolpyruvic acid (audio)
: the phosphate H2C=C(OPO3H2)COOH of the enol form of pyruvic acid that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism (as in the reversible dehydration of phosphoglyceric acid)

called also phosphopyruvic acid

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