What does metabolic mean?
Metabolic is an adjective relating to metabolism, the collective series of chemical reactions that transform nutrients, produce energy, and maintain the functioning of living organisms. The word commonly appears in scientific and medical discussions about metabolic rate, metabolic activity, metabolic processes, and metabolic disorders. It may describe the ordinary biochemical reactions of the body, as in a discussion of exercise and metabolic health, or a disturbance in those reactions, as with a metabolic condition or metabolic syndrome. “Metabolic” is also used more broadly in biology and chemistry for processes involving the transformation of matter. Because the term is associated primarily with medicine, nutrition, and biological science, it is uncommon in casual speech, where simpler expressions such as “energy use” or “how the body processes food” may be more appropriate. Despite its technical character, the word is widely understood in health and fitness contexts.
Relating to or involving metabolism, especially the chemical processes by which living organisms transform substances and produce energy.
"The researchers measured metabolic changes in the muscles after the participants began training."
This is the standard scientific and medical sense of the adjective.
Characterized by an abnormal or significantly altered metabolic process.
"The patient was treated for a rare metabolic disorder."
This sense is especially common in medical diagnosis and health contexts.
The word “metabolic” belongs to a family built on the Greek idea of change: your metabolism continually transforms food, energy, and other substances within you.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does metabolic come from?
The word comes from metabolism, which was formed within Latin from Greek metabolē, meaning “change” or “transformation.” The underlying Greek element metabolos means “changing” and is related to the notion of being changed or transformed. The English family developed through forms including metabolism, metabolize or metabolise, and the adjective metabolic, reflecting the long use of this vocabulary in biological and medical writing.
Related word forms
How metabolic is actually used
Chiefly used in scientific, medical, and nutritional contexts. In clinical usage, “metabolic” can describe a condition or treatment affecting the body's metabolic processes.