histidine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “histidine” mean?
An essential amino acid, C₆H₉N₃O₂, used by the body for growth and tissue repair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An essential amino acid, C₆H₉N₃O₂, used by the body for growth and tissue repair.
A basic, aromatic amino acid that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, enzyme function, and is a precursor to histamine. It is often discussed in contexts of nutrition, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Minor potential variation in the pronunciation of the first syllable.
Connotations
Purely scientific/technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and domain-specific in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “histidine” in a Sentence
Histidine is [adjective] (e.g., essential, abundant).Histidine [verb] (e.g., acts as, functions as, is converted to).A [noun] of histidine (e.g., source, amount, molecule).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “histidine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The histidine content of the sample was analysed.
American English
- The histidine residue is critical for catalytic activity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the biotech, pharmaceutical, or supplement industries (e.g., 'The production costs for synthetic histidine have fallen.').
Academic
Common in biochemistry, nutritional science, and medical research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually unused except by individuals with specific dietary or medical knowledge.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely in discussions of protein structure, metabolic pathways, and nutritional requirements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “histidine”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “histidine”
- Misspelling as 'histadine' or 'histadine'.
- Mispronouncing the first syllable to rhyme with 'high' (/haɪ/) instead of 'his' (/hɪ/).
- Confusing it with the related compound 'histamine'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, histidine is an essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot synthesize it and it must be obtained from the diet.
Protein-rich foods like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, soybeans, and nuts are good dietary sources of histidine.
Its primary functions include protein synthesis, serving as a precursor to the neurotransmitter histamine, and playing a role in enzyme catalysis and metal ion binding.
Yes, histidine is available as a dietary supplement, often marketed for joint health or metabolic support, but such use should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
An essential amino acid, C₆H₉N₃O₂, used by the body for growth and tissue repair.
Histidine is usually technical/scientific in register.
Histidine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɪs.tɪ.diːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɪs.təˌdiːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HISTory in your DINEt: think of the HISTamine in your body having a history connected to what you DINE on, as histidine is found in food.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING BLOCK (for proteins and enzymes); PRECURSOR (to important biological molecules).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following fields is the term 'histidine' most commonly used?