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Word of the Day Tuesday, June 9, 2026

prion

/ˈpraɪɒn/ noun · British & US
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What does prion mean?

noun

A small, infectious protein particle that can cause disease, especially a neurodegenerative disorder such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Prions are composed of a misfolded protein that can induce normal proteins to also misfold, leading to cell death and tissue damage.

Example

"The researchers discovered that the prion was highly contagious and could be transmitted through contact with infected tissue."

Definition generated by AI and curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Synonyms for prion

Rhymes with prion

Etymologically related