catabolism

From Ancient Greek καταβολή (katabolḗ, “throwing down”), from κατά (katá, “down”) + βάλλω (bállō, “I throw”).

• IPA^(key): /kəˈtæbəlɪzm/

• Audio (Southern England):

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catabolism (usually uncountable, plural catabolisms)

1. (biochemistry) Destructive (lytic) metabolism or metabolization, usually including the release of energy and breakdown of materials.

   Synonyms: catabolisation, catabolization, catabolysis

   Antonym: anabolism

Borrowed from French catabolisme.

catabolism n (uncountable)

1. catabolism