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Definition of metabolism noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

metabolism

noun
 
/məˈtæbəlɪzəm/
 
/məˈtæbəlɪzəm/
 [uncountable, countable] (biology)
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  1. the chemical processes in living things that change food, etc. into energy and materials for growth
    • The body's metabolism is slowed down by extreme cold.
    Topics Biologyc1
    Word Originlate 19th cent.: from Greek metabolē ‘change’ (from metaballein ‘to change’) + -ism.
See metabolism in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee metabolism in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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Nearby words

dizzy
adjective
 
 
From the Topic
Health problems
C1
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