glycine

noun

gly·​cine ˈglī-ˌsēn  ˈglī-sᵊn 

: a sweet crystalline amino acid C₂H₅NO₂ obtained especially by hydrolysis of proteins

Examples of glycine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory properties of bone broth can help combat fatigue, while the amino acids (glycine and glutamine) help with immune function and gut health. —Morgan Fargo, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025

Miller and Urey found that this triggered the formation of glycine, hydrogen cyanide, alanine, and other building blocks of life. —Ars Technica, 14 Mar. 2025

Importantly, in the ancient atmosphere sample, sprays of water alone were enough to ionize the air and trigger the formation of organic molecules with carbon-nitrogen bonds, such as hydrogen cyanide, glycine and uracil. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 17 Mar. 2025

Glutathione is a protective antioxidant composed of three amino acids: cysteine, glutamic acid and glycine. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glycine

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• amine
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between

Medical Definition

glycine

noun

gly·​cine ˈglī-ˌsēn  ˈglīs-ᵊn 

: a sweet crystalline nonessential amino acid C₂H₅NO₂ that is a neurotransmitter which induces inhibition of postsynaptic neurons, is obtained by hydrolysis of proteins or is prepared synthetically, and is used in the form of its salt as an antacid or in aqueous solution as an irrigating fluid in transurethral surgery

—abbreviation Gly

called also aminoacetic acid, glycocoll