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.
Certain gut bacteria also synthesize vitamins, including vitamin K and several B vitamins, and help metabolize bile acids, cholesterol, and numerous dietary compounds. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 And once that happens, honest grief becomes harder to metabolize as a viewer. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026 Apparently, some bacteria were using oxygen in the tunnel to metabolize sulfur compounds in the water, and that was producing the rotten-egg smell. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 Track Your Experience Like Any Other Wellness Habit Because everyone metabolizes cannabis differently, what works for a friend may not work for you. — Peter Su, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 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 21 Aug. 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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