acetylate

verb

acet·​y·​late ə-ˈse-tᵊl-ˌāt How to pronounce acetylate (audio)
acetylated; acetylating

transitive verb

: to introduce the acetyl radical into (a compound)
acetylation noun
acetylative adjective

Examples of acetylate in a Sentence

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.
Her team reported last year in Cell that many mRNA cytosine bases are acetylated. Ken Garber, Science | AAAS, 1 July 2019

Word History

Etymology

acetyl + -ate entry 4

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of acetylate was in 1864

Dictionary Entries Near acetylate

Cite this Entry

“Acetylate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acetylate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

acetylate

transitive verb
acet·​y·​late ə-ˈset-ᵊl-ˌāt How to pronounce acetylate (audio)
acetylated; acetylating
: to introduce the acetyl radical into (a compound)
acetylation noun
acetylative adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on acetylate

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!