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English Words Starting With M

8,594 entries — pick a word to see its definition, pronunciation, and usage.

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Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Plural noun Combining form Verb (transitive)Verb (intransitive)Verb (ambitransitive)

metabiosis
nounC2
/ˌmɛtəbaɪˈəʊsɪs/A biological relationship in which one organism is dependent on another for the preparation of its environment or habitat.
metabolic heat
nounC1+
/ˌmet.ə.bɒl.ɪk ˈhiːt/The heat produced inside an organism as a direct result of its metabolic processes.
metabolic pathway
nounLow (specialized term)
/ˌmet.əˌbɒl.ɪk ˈpɑːθ.weɪ/A series of interconnected chemical reactions occurring within a cell, where molecules are transformed through a sequence of steps facilitated by enzymes.
metabolic syndrome
nounC1-C2
/ˌmet.əˌbɒl.ɪk ˈsɪn.drəʊm/A cluster of interconnected medical conditions that together increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
metabolism
nounC1
/mɪˈtæb.əl.ɪ.zəm/The set of chemical processes that occur within a living organism to maintain life, involving the conversion of food to energy and the building and repair of tissues.
metabolite
nounLow
/mɪˈtab.əl.aɪt/A substance formed in or necessary for metabolism.
metabolize
verbverb-ambitransitiveC2
/mɪˈtæb.ə.laɪz/To process (a substance) within a living organism or cell to produce energy, build tissue, or eliminate waste.
metabolome
nounC2
/məˈtæb.ə.ləʊm/The complete set of small-molecule chemicals found within a biological sample, such as a cell, tissue, or organism, at a specific point in time.
metabolomics
nounC2
/ˌmɛtəbəˈlɒmɪks/The scientific study of the complete set of small molecule metabolites present within an organism, cell, or tissue at a specific time under defined conditions.
metaboly
nounObscure / Scientific / Technical
/məˈtæbəli/The capability of an organism (especially certain single-celled organisms like euglenids) to change its shape by flowing or bending.
metabotropic receptor
nounC2 / Technical / Specialist
/ˌmɛtəbə(ʊ)ˈtrɒpɪk rɪˈsɛptə/A type of cell membrane receptor that initiates intracellular biochemical signaling cascades (typically via G-proteins) in response to neurotransmitter binding, leading to slower, longer-lasting cellular changes.
metacarpal
adjectivenounC2
/ˌmet.əˈkɑː.pəl/Any of the five bones in the hand between the wrist (carpus) and the fingers (phalanges).
metacarpus
nounLow
/ˌmɛtəˈkɑːpəs/The group of five bones in the hand between the wrist (carpus) and the fingers (phalanges), forming the framework of the palm.
metacenter
nounVery Low
/ˈmɛtəˌsɛntə/The point at which a vertical line through the center of buoyancy of a floating body intersects the vertical line through the center of gravity of the body when it is slightly displaced from its equilibrium position; crucial for determining the initial static stability of ships.
metacentre
nounC2 (Very Rare/Specialised)
/ˈmɛtəˌsɛntə/In naval architecture, the theoretical point in a ship's cross-section where an imaginary vertical line through the centre of buoyancy intersects a line through a new centre of buoyancy after the ship tilts.
metacentric height
nounC1/C2 (Very Low Frequency)
/ˌmɛtəˈsɛntrɪk haɪt/A stability measurement in naval architecture and ship design representing the vertical distance between a vessel's centre of gravity and its metacenter.
metacercaria
nounVery Low
/ˌmɛtəsəːˈkɛːrɪə/The encysted or resting larval stage of a parasitic trematode (fluke), which follows the cercaria stage.
metachromatism
nounVery Low
/ˌmɛtəˈkrəʊmətɪz(ə)m/The property of certain dyes or substances to change colour, typically when applied to different tissues or under varying chemical conditions.
metachrosis
nounVery rare
/ˌmɛtəˈkrəʊsɪs/The ability of certain animals, especially reptiles and amphibians, to change colour.
metacinnabar
nounVery Low (Specialist/Scientific)
/ˌmɛtəˈsɪnəbɑː/A naturally occurring, cubic, black polymorph of mercuric sulfide (HgS).

Showing 4101–4120 of 8594 words.