ketone body

noun

: any of the three compounds acetoacetic acid, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyric acid which are normal intermediates in lipid metabolism and accumulate in the blood and urine in abnormal amounts in conditions of impaired metabolism (such as diabetes mellitus)

Examples of ketone body in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
These ketone bodies are used as fuel instead of carbohydrates or other sources of glucose. Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 Oct. 2024 Ketosis occurs when your body uses ketone bodies for energy instead of carbohydrates. Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2024 The fat must be broken down first, however, and, as part of that process, the liver creates substances known as ketone bodies that can be converted into energy. Gretchen Reynolds, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020 Here in the 21st century: Taking supplemental ketones to help enhance this biological process will likely decrease appetite by raising blood levels of ketone bodies. Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, 16 Jan. 2019 The process generates ketone bodies that may have healthy effects. Mark Barna, Discover Magazine, 24 Sep. 2018 But by starving the body of carbs, a ketogenic diet forces a person into a state of ketosis: Their body burns its own fat, producing ketone bodies. Susie Neilson, The Cut, 26 Jan. 2018 There’s evidence that some of these ketone bodies are beneficial in disease. Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 5 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

translation of German Ketonkörper

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ketone body was in 1915

Dictionary Entries Near ketone body

Cite this Entry

“Ketone body.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ketone%20body. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

ketone body

noun
ke·​tone body
ˈkē-ˌtōn-
: a compound that is formed as a by-product in the breakdown of fat in the liver

Medical Definition

ketone body

noun
: any of the three compounds acetoacetic acid, acetone, and the beta derivative of hydroxybutyric acid which are normal intermediates in lipid metabolism and accumulate in the blood and urine in abnormal amounts in conditions of impaired metabolism (as diabetes mellitus)

called also acetone body

More from Merriam-Webster on ketone body

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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