Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

protein

/ˈpɹoʊ.tin/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.53 in modern English

Syllables
pro-tein
IPA
/ˈpɹoʊ.tin/
9
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids, in which the amino acid groups are held together by peptide bonds.

Countable

noun

One of three major classes of food or source of food energy (4 kcal/gram) abundant in animal-derived foods (meat) and some vegetables, such as legumes.

Uncountable

noun

A food rich in protein, often a meat or meat substitute.

Countable

Example Sentences

Etymology

From proto- + -ein. Suggested by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in a letter to Gerardus Johannes Mulder, from French protéine and German Protein, both coined based on Ancient Greek πρωτεῖος (prōteîos, “primary”), from πρῶτος (prôtos, “first”).

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: protéine, Protein, πρωτεῖος

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈpɹoʊ.tin/
  • British English: /ˈpɹəʊ.ti.ɪn/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

proteic proteo- :Category:Proteins carbohydrate fat

Synonyms

Homonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce protein?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɹoʊ.tin/.
What does protein mean?
Any of numerous large, complex naturally-produced molecules composed of one or more long chains of amino acids, in which the amino acid groups are held together by peptide bonds.
Where does protein come from?
It is traced to French.

How to pronounce protein

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “protein”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpɹoʊ.tin/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “protein”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “protein” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.