Protein is a substance found in food and drink such as meat, eggs, and milk. You need protein in order to grow and be healthy.
Fish was a major source of protein for the working man.
...a high protein diet.
protein in British English
(ˈprəʊtiːn)
noun
any of a large group of nitrogenous compounds of high molecular weight that are essential constituents of all living organisms. They consist of one or more chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds and are folded into a specific three-dimensional shape maintained by further chemical bonding
Derived forms
proteinaceous (ˌproteinˈaceous) or proteinic (proˈteinic) or proteinous (proˈteinous)
adjective
Word origin
C19: via German from Greek prōteios primary, from protos first + -in
protein in American English
(ˈproʊˌtin; ˈproʊtiɪn)
noun
any of a large class of complex polymers consisting of long chains of polypeptides often bonded with nucleic acids, lipids, etc.: proteins are found in all cells, are essential to the diet of animals, are the basic components of cartilage, hair, skin, etc., and often function as enzymes, hormones, or antibodies
Word origin
Ger < Fr protéine < Gr prōteios, prime, chief < prōtos, first (see proto-): from being a chief constituent of plant and animal bodies
Examples of 'protein' in a sentence
protein
This dish is high is protein and fibre and low in salt and fat.
The Sun (2016)
They are now seen as high in protein and low in sugar.
The Sun (2016)
There are trials of drugs to cut toxic protein that destroy healthy brain tissue.
The Sun (2016)
The white stuff is a top source of essential protein.
The Sun (2017)
Cheese is rich and high in protein, which is needed for muscle growth and repair.
The Sun (2016)
Each meal comprises lean protein, healthy fat and vegetables.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
When you digest a protein, essential amino acids are absorbed.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
This is high in protein, so it's filling but low in carbs.
The Sun (2016)
Those on higher protein had better kip.
The Sun (2016)
Boer goat has a flavour between beef and lamb and is an extremely healthy source of protein.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Are protein supplement drinks good for serious sports people?
The Sun (2012)
Present in all natural food especially those rich in calcium and protein.
Mayes, Adrienne The Dictionary of Nutritional Health (1986)
Researchers found fat men on a high protein diet felt less hungry if they had three meals.
The Sun (2010)
Without antibiotics there would be supply problems of animal protein.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These are great for protein and give essential minerals.
The Sun (2010)
This is thought to be because a high protein intake may contribute to bone loss.
Westcott, Patsy Alternative Health Care for Women (1991)
Protein from animal sources contains all the amino acids we need in one place.
Kowalski, Robert E The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure (1990)
The milk gave them a cheap supply of protein that is essential for growth.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Foods rich in protein tend to satisfy the appetite most effectively.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
By now you will readily see why we do not want to enrich fasting drinks with protein or use special protein drinks.
Lutzner, Dr Helmut Successful Fasting -the easy way to cleanse your body of its poisons (1990)
They come in three batches, one with five per cent protein.
The Sun (2008)
Eat it with protein, healthy fats and vegetables for a maximum nutritional punch.
The Sun (2015)
Protein shakes gone to his head, probably.
The Sun (2014)
Low fat or high protein: which diet really works?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That said, elite athletes may find protein drinks an easy way of boosting protein intake.
The Sun (2012)
Protein - one of the building blocks of body tissue.
The Sun (2016)
I would like to eat some protein and some healthy food.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Sugar, fat and protein molecules are taken through the cell membrane where they are processed by the mitochondria into energy.
Chaitow, Leon The Beat Fatigue Workbook - how to identify the causes (1988)
Any diet that is restrictive in terms of carbs, fat or protein is not going to work in the long term.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The consumption of all the food groups affects the blood sugar in various degrees, for fats and proteins can also be partially converted to glucose.
Budd, Martin Diets to Help Diabetes (1983)
In other languages
protein
British English: protein /ˈprəʊtiːn/ NOUN
Protein is a substance which the body needs and which is found in meat, eggs, and milk.
...a high-protein diet.
American English: protein
Arabic: بْرُوتِيـن
Brazilian Portuguese: proteína
Chinese: 蛋白质
Croatian: protein
Czech: bílkovina
Danish: protein
Dutch: proteïne
European Spanish: proteína
Finnish: proteiini
French: protéine
German: Protein
Greek: πρωτεΐνη
Italian: proteina
Japanese: 蛋白質
Korean: 단백질
Norwegian: protein
Polish: białko
European Portuguese: proteína
Romanian: proteină
Russian: белок вещество
Latin American Spanish: proteína
Swedish: protein
Thai: โปรตีน
Turkish: protein
Ukrainian: протеїн
Vietnamese: chất đạm
All related terms of 'protein'
low-protein
Low-protein substances contain very little protein .
high-protein
(of a food) rich in proteins
protein content
the amount of protein contained in a substance
silver protein
any of several colloidal silver solutions containing silver and a protein, as albumin : formerly used in treating inflammation of mucous membranes
simple protein
a protein composed only of amino acids
conjugated protein
a biochemical compound consisting of a sequence of amino acids making up a simple protein to which another nonprotein group (a prosthetic group), such as a carbohydrate or lipid group, is attached
protein deficiency
a lack or insuffiency of protein
protein synthesis
the process by which amino acids are linearly arranged into proteins through the involvement of ribosomal RNA , transfer RNA, messenger RNA, and various enzymes
C-reactive protein
a globulin in the blood produced by the liver in response to inflammation
single-cell protein
protein that is produced by micro-organisms fermenting in liquid or gaseous petroleum fractions or other organic substances: used as a food supplement
hydrolysed vegetable protein
a powder or liquid that is produced by boiling legumes or cereals in hydrochloric acid and then neutralizing with sodium hydroxide . It is used as a flavouring in some foods, such as soups and bouillon cubes
textured vegetable protein
a protein obtained from soya beans or other vegetables that have been spun into fibres and flavoured : used esp as a substitute for meat