pepsin

noun

pep·​sin ˈpep-sən How to pronounce pepsin (audio)
1
: a protease of the stomach that breaks down most proteins to polypeptides
2
: a preparation containing pepsin that is obtained from the stomach especially of the hog and is used especially as a digestive aid

Examples of pepsin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Alkaline water stops pepsin from being activated when gastric acid is released in the stomach.20 What gets rid of heartburn fast? Elizabeth Pratt, Health, 31 Oct. 2023 Pectin is recognized as a prebiotic that is not broken down by human saliva or gastric acid and is resistant to digestive enzymes pepsin, trypsin and rennet. Valerie Agyeman, Good Housekeeping, 21 Mar. 2023 Even that function is carried out by proteins like pepsin. Nathan Ahlgren, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2021 In 2012, a lab study showed that water with a pH of 8.8 neutralized pepsin, the enzyme that causes damage to the esophagus in people with acid reflux. SELF, 6 Sep. 2018 That’s because plant protein is digested mostly in the intestines, while animal protein is digested in the stomach—which is also the point of production for pepsin. Alice Park, Time, 7 Sep. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pepsin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

German, from Greek pepsis digestion, from pessein

First Known Use

circa 1844, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pepsin was circa 1844

Dictionary Entries Near pepsin

Cite this Entry

“Pepsin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepsin. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pepsin

noun
pep·​sin ˈpep-sən How to pronounce pepsin (audio)
1
: an enzyme given off by glands in the wall of the stomach that begins the digestion of most proteins
2
: a preparation of pepsin obtained especially from the stomach of the hog and used in medicine

Medical Definition

pepsin

noun
pep·​sin ˈpep-sən How to pronounce pepsin (audio)
1
: a crystallizable protease that in an acid medium digests most proteins to polypeptides (as by dissolving coagulated egg albumin or causing casein to precipitate from skim milk), that is secreted by glands in the mucous membrane of the stomach of higher animals, and that in combination with dilute hydrochloric acid is the chief active principle of gastric juice
2
: a preparation containing pepsin obtained as a powder or scales from the stomach especially of the hog and used especially as a digestant

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