papain

noun

pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən How to pronounce papain (audio) -ˈpī-ən How to pronounce papain (audio)
: a protease in the juice of unripe papaya that is used especially as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine (as in the topical debridement of necrotic tissue)

Examples of papain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My favorites are digestive enzymes containing the enzyme papain from papayas and bromelain from pineapple. Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2023 Best Cleanser Savings Revision Skincare's Papaya Enzyme Cleanser is a gentle formula made with papain, an enzyme derived from papayas that gently exfoliates, leaving the skin softer, smoother, and more vibrant. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 30 Aug. 2023 Crafted with care, these treats are infused with enriching full spectrum CBD extract, as well as a blend of beneficial ingredients like turmeric, papain, bromelain, and catnip leaf powder. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 15 June 2023 It's made with papain and papaya enzymes that are loaded with antioxidants, which exfoliate your pores and help to tone and soften your skin without stripping away its natural oils. Shannon Ullman, Health, 5 May 2023 This bright green fruit contains an enzyme called papain which helps dissolve dead stomach fat cells so they can be flushed out of your body. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 11 Oct. 2022 And the smaller events, in many cases, produced genes associated with being carnivorous — like the ones that make papain, an enzyme in meat tenderizer. Joanna Klein, New York Times, 19 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'papain.' 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

International Scientific Vocabulary, from papaya

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papain was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near papain

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

papain

noun
pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən How to pronounce papain (audio) -ˈpī-ən How to pronounce papain (audio)
: an enzyme in papaya juice used especially to make meat tender and in medicine

Medical Definition

papain

noun
pa·​pa·​in pə-ˈpā-ən How to pronounce papain (audio) -ˈpī- How to pronounce papain (audio)
: a crystallizable protease in the juice of the green fruit of the papaya obtained usually as a brownish powder and used chiefly as a tenderizer for meat and in medicine as a digestant and as a topical agent in the debridement of necrotic tissue

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