Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of protein
"The doctor advised that increasing your intake of proteins, such as beans and lean meats, would help repair the muscle damage from your marathon training."
In plain English: Proteins are large molecules made of chains of amino acids that build and repair your body's tissues.
"Eggs are an excellent source of proteins that help muscles grow."
Usage: Use proteins to refer to large, complex molecules found in food that your body uses to build and repair tissues. Avoid confusing this with the singular form when discussing specific dietary sources like meat or beans.
Derived from the Greek prôtos, meaning first, the term was coined in 1838 by German chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius to describe proteins as the primary constituents of living matter. It entered English via French protéine before becoming a standard scientific noun for essential biological macromolecules.