anabolic

[ an-uh-bol-ik ]

adjectiveBiology, Physiology.
  1. involving or stimulating the building of complex substances from simpler ones as part of the process of metabolism in living organisms (opposed to catabolic): These three essential amino acids have a strong anabolic effect, driving protein synthesis to build muscle.

Origin of anabolic

1
First recorded in 1875–80; from Greek anabol(ḗ) “a throwing upward,” equivalent to ana- ana- + bolḗ “a throw” (compare anabállein “to throw up”) + -ic

Other words from anabolic

  • an·a·bol·i·cal·ly, adverb
  • hy·per·an·a·bol·ic, adjective

Words Nearby anabolic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use anabolic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for anabolic

anabolic

/ (ˌænəˈbɒlɪk) /


adjective
  1. of or relating to anabolism

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012