a·nab·o·lism

[uh-nab-uh-liz-uhm]
noun Biology, Physiology.
constructive metabolism; the synthesis in living organisms of more complex substances from simpler ones ( opposed to catabolism ).

Origin:
1885–90; ana- + (meta)bolism

an·a·bol·ic [an-uh-bol-ik] , adjective
hy·per·an·a·bol·ic, adjective
hy·per·a·nab·o·lism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To anabolic
Collins
World English Dictionary
anabolic (ˌænəˈbɒlɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
of or relating to anabolism

00:10
Anabolic is always a great word to know.
So is interrobang. Does it mean:
a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
anabolism (əˈnæbəˌlɪzəm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
Compare catabolism a metabolic process in which complex molecules are synthesized from simpler ones with the storage of energy; constructive metabolism
 
[C19: from ana- + (meta)bolism]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

anabolic
"pertaining to the process of building up (especially in metabolism)," 1876, from Gk. anabole "that which is thrown up, mound," from ana "up, upward" + ballein "to throw" (see ballistics). Anabolism is recorded from 1886.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

anabolism a·nab·o·lism (ə-nāb'ə-lĭz'əm)
n.
The phase of metabolism in which simple substances are synthesized into the complex materials of living tissue.


an'a·bol'ic (ān'ə-bŏl'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Science Dictionary
anabolism   (ə-nāb'ə-lĭz'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
The phase of metabolism in which complex molecules, such as the proteins and fats that make up body tissue, are formed from simpler ones. Compare catabolism.

anabolic adjective
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

anabolism definition


The chemical reactions that synthesize molecules in metabolism. (Compare catabolism.)

Note: Athletes often attempt to improve their performance by speeding up this molecule-building process through the use of drugs called anabolic steroids, despite the potential health risks involved. This use is outlawed in many athletic competitions, such as the Olympic Games.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Anabolic steroids, used for body-building and sports enhancement, also increase
  stroke risk.
We have a wealth of data concerning, for example, androgenic anabolic steroids.
Athletes have obviously been tempted to use performance enhancing anabolic
  steroids.
Such individuals are prone to eating disorders and other unhealthy behaviors,
  including the use of anabolic steroids.
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT