aspartate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Technical/Scientific)Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “aspartate” mean?
A salt or ester of aspartic acid, an amino acid.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A salt or ester of aspartic acid, an amino acid.
An anion or molecule derived from aspartic acid, crucial in biological processes like the urea cycle, metabolism, and neurotransmission.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
None beyond its scientific meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse for both varieties, used exclusively in technical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “aspartate” in a Sentence
[Compound Noun]: aspartate + noun (e.g., aspartate aminotransferase)[Prepositional Phrase]: salt of aspartate[Adjectival Modifier]: intracellular aspartateVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aspartate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The aspartate pathway is regulated by feedback inhibition.
- Aspartate metabolism was studied in vitro.
American English
- The aspartate shuttle is crucial for mitochondrial function.
- Aspartate supplementation is uncommon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biochemistry, molecular biology, and nutritional science research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear on supplement labels (e.g., magnesium aspartate).
Technical
Core term in enzymology (e.g., AST enzyme), metabolic pathways (urea cycle, malate-aspartate shuttle), and pharmacology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aspartate”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aspartate”
- Misspelling as 'aspertate' or 'aspartite'.
- Incorrectly using it as a verb (e.g., 'The cell aspartates...'). It is only a noun.
- Confusing 'aspartate' (the compound) with 'aspartic acid' (its precursor).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener synthesized from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Aspartate is a salt, ester, or ion of aspartic acid involved in natural metabolism.
Yes. Aspartic acid, which forms aspartate in the body, is found in protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and legumes.
AST stands for Aspartate Aminotransferase, an enzyme. High levels in blood tests often indicate damage to liver or heart cells.
It is exclusively a noun in modern English usage.
A salt or ester of aspartic acid, an amino acid.
Aspartate is usually technical / scientific in register.
Aspartate: in British English it is pronounced /əˈspɑː.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈspɑːr.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'asparagus' + 'ate' (as in a chemical that you 'ate' or consumed). Aspartate is related to an acid found in foods.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING BLOCK / CHEMICAL MESSENGER (It is a fundamental component in building proteins and a carrier in metabolic shuttles).
Practice
Quiz
In which biological process is aspartate a key component?